Democrat Lisa Heddens won a fourth term for District 46 against ISU associate professor of psychology and Libertarian Eric Cooper.

Earning 79 percent of the vote, Heddens will retain her seat in the State House of Representatives for another two-year appointment. Heddens was originally elected to office in 2002.

This was the fifth time Cooper ran for this office.

District 46 represents residents from northern Ames, Gilbert and surrounding townships.

“It’s always a humbling experience to be re-elected, and by such a large margin,” Heddens said.

She said she believed she won because her campaign focused on issues that are important to the citizens of her district, such as encouraging job growth and increasing the use of renewable energy resources.

“I look forward to going back to the State House in January and working on those mainstream issues,” she said.

Between now and her return to Des Moines, Heddens said she will continue meeting with local constituent groups and listen to their concerns.

Heddens won against Cooper in an election that focused on local issues, such as education, health care and the economy.

The topic of education was key to the two candidate’s platforms.

Heddens and Cooper disagreed on the government’s role in education. Cooper argued schools should be privatized to increase efficiency and force competition.