Kathy Holtz.

Four years after an unsuccessful bid for Tama County Treasurer, Kathy Holtz of Toledo has won the office, unseating incumbent Amanda Kriegel of Tama in Tuesday’s general election.

According to unofficial results from the Tama County Auditor’s Office, Holtz, the Republican nominee, received 4,722 votes (82.83%), while 979 write-in votes (17.17%) were cast in the race.

The election delivered a rematch between the two candidates, who previously faced each other in 2022. In that election, Kriegel, running as the Republican nominee, defeated Holtz, who appeared on the ballot without party affiliation, by 3,943 votes to 2,490. This time, the candidates entered the general election under considerably different circumstances.

Kriegel, who was initially appointed to the treasurer’s office in 2022 before winning election later that year, sought the Republican nomination for another term in June. She finished first in a four-candidate primary with 493 votes, or 34.31%, but fell short of the 35% threshold required under Iowa law to secure the nomination.

Ashley Bolen finished second with 466 votes, followed by Holtz with 400 and Jolynn Harger with 77.

Amanda Kriegel.

With no candidate reaching the required threshold, the Republican nomination was decided at a special county convention on Aug. 4 at the Tama Civic Center.

Holtz emerged victorious on the first ballot, receiving 24 of the 40 delegate votes. Bolen received 13 votes, while Kriegel received three.

Following the convention, Kriegel announced that she would continue seeking another term through a write-in campaign. The decision set up a rematch of the 2022 election, this time with Holtz carrying the Republican nomination and Kriegel seeking support outside the printed ballot.

After realizing victory, Holtz caught up with the News Chronicle, “I’d like to sincerely thank everyone for all the support through this entire process. I am truly grateful for the confidence placed in me by the Tama County Republican Party delegates and Central Committee, as well as the encouragement from our community, my friends, and my family. I look forward to working with the current administration for a smooth transition and am so excited to serve Tama County as your next Treasurer.”

Holtz’s term will begin in January. Election results remain unofficial until canvassed and certified.