Greimann, Hoffman win Ames elections

Dan A. Farmer
November 3, 1999

Jane Greimann reaped the benefits of her endorsements from presidential candidates Bill Bradley and Vice President Al Gore, capturing the District 61 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives Tuesday.

With the absentee votes not tallied, Democrat Greimann defeated Republican Dick Woods, 2,678- 1,142.

“This is my first political office, and I’m overwhelmed, excited and anxious to get started,” Greimann said. “Gov. Vilsack was the first to call and congratulate me. I’m excited to continue to work with the Democratic team and the leadership of Gov. Vilsack.”

This was Woods’ second attempt at election, and he said he thinks it will be his last.

“I called and congratulated Jane,” Woods said. “I put myself in front of the voters, and they made their decision.”

In the only contested city council election, Ames voters sent incumbent Judie Hoffman back to the council in the at-large seat.

Hoffman held her office with a resounding 2,770 to 678 margin, absentee ballots not included. Her opponent was Starlene Rankin, Iowa State graduate student in journalism and mass communication.

Herman Quirmbach, Ward 4, and Steve Goodhue, Ward 2, ran unopposed.

“Obviously, I’m delighted to be re-elected,” Hoffman said. “Thank you to all those who voted for me, the volunteers that helped my campaign, my husband and to Starlene for providing opposition. I think it’s important in democratic races to have someone running against you. It helps bring the issues out.”

Rankin said she was grateful for the experience of running for office, and she still has political plans in mind for the future.

“I think it’s been a really good experience,” Rankin said about the campaign. “We got to talk about the issues, and I felt the coverage was very good. If I end up staying in Ames, I’d be very interested in running for Ward 1.”

Rankin expressed concern about the number of voters who made it to polling places.

“I’d like to see more turnout,” she said. “I think the turnout was really low.”