Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour).

Despite his closest election since 2012, Republican State Rep. Dean Fisher of Montour has won another term representing House District 53, defeating Democratic challenger Berleen Wobeter of rural Toledo in Tuesday’s general election.

According to preliminary results from the Iowa Secretary of State, Fisher received 6,747 votes (51.7%) compared to Wobeter’s 6,292 votes (48.3%), a margin of just 455 votes.

Fisher, who has served in the Iowa House since 2013, previously worked as an electronics engineer and operated a cow-calf farming operation. Wobeter, a longtime educator and farmer, previously worked for several area school districts and Iowa Valley Community College. She also ran unsuccessfully for the Tama County Board of Supervisors in 2024, losing by 43 votes to Republican Mark Doland.

House District 53 encompasses all of Poweshiek County and most of Tama County, excluding its northeastern portion.

Although Fisher secured the districtwide victory, Wobeter narrowly carried the Tama County portion of the district, receiving 2,581 votes compared to Fisher’s 2,563, an 18-vote advantage.

Berleen Wobeter (D-Toledo).

Following the election, Fisher expressed appreciation for the support he received from voters across the district.

“I am thankful for all the support from the folks in Tama and Poweshiek counties. I will continue to work hard for all the folks in the district and I will continue to uphold the values we hold dear,” Fisher said.

The narrow victory marks a shift from Fisher’s previous two elections under the current district boundaries.

In 2022, Fisher defeated Democrat Sarah Smith with 6,935 votes (56.6%) to Smith’s 5,310 votes (43.3%), winning by 1,625 votes.

In his 2024 bid, Fisher defeated Democratic challenger Tommy Hexter with 8,889 votes (56.8%) compared to Hexter’s 6,745 votes (43.1%), a margin of 2,144 votes.

Wobeter initially entered the House District 53 race earlier this year before withdrawing in March, later accepting the Democratic nomination through a district convention in August.

In a comment shared on Facebook, Wobeter expressed her plans for the future.

“During my campaign, I met too many people who felt left out or struggling with unmet needs. I can’t forget that, and I will continue to find ways to make change and make sure those voices get heard. I’m not sure how I will continue to maintain all the positive relationships built during this campaign but I will try because that is what I believe makes life extraordinary. I hope you will all continue to support efforts to show up and work for a better Iowa,” she said.