Yesterday was the deadline for Iowa candidates who had qualified for a major-party primary to have their names removed from the primary ballot. The full list of candidates is on the Secretary of State’s website (pdf). Jon Van Wyk’s name is now absent from the Republican Party line in Iowa House district 28. His challenge against first-term State Representative Greg Heartsill was shaping up to be one of the most interesting state legislative primaries. However, the Knoxville Journal-Express reported that six people objected to Van Wyk’s candidacy because he and his family live in Clive, a suburb of Des Moines. They plan to move to Sully, located in House district 28, this summer.
After the jump I’ve posted Van Wyk’s comments on dropping out and a map of House district 28, where Van Wyk plans to run again in 2016.
Heartsill, one of the most “out there” Iowa House Republicans, has the GOP nomination locked up and will face Democrat Megan Suhr in a rematch from 2012. He won that race by 8,197 votes to 6,569. House district 28 leans Republican with 6,020 registered Democrats, 7,368 Republicans, and 8,049 no-party voters as of March 2014.
Facebook status update by Van Wyk, March 19:
Running for Iowa House District 28 has been a pleasure, not to mention a great learning experience this election cycle. Although I am within the letter of the law for my candidacy in HD28, I do not want my first run for office to be marred by questions and concerns of residency malfeasance.
I want my candidacy to be above reproach so that the focus of the campaign can be on substantive issues relevant to Iowans. If I am going to assert that I will be a shrewd and tactical legislator, I must first demonstrate that I can be a shrewd and tactical candidate.
As such, I have made the decision to withdrawal my name from the primary election on June 3rd, and amend the organization of my Candidate’s Committee for the 2016 election cycle. I will continue to fundraise and network with those inside the Republican Party in order to come out strong in 2016.
In the mean time, my family will focus on our move from Clive to Sully, as well as expanding wine production at our winery in Sully. I want to thank those of you who have supported me thus far, and look forward to continuing our conversations as we look to 2016.
Van Wyk added in a comment to the Knoxville Journal-Express, “We just have too much going on this summer to have a good door knocking ground game in a primary or general election this time around.”
