The race for State House District 71 seat has again been claimed by the Democratic Party.

Sue Cahill of Marshalltown won the race, defeating opponent Tony Reed (R-Marshalltown). Cahill tallied 6,796 to Reed’s 5,311.

The district is comprised of Marshalltown and the townships of Bangor, Liscomb, Vienna, Taylor and Marion.

Results are unofficial until votes are canvassed.

The District 71 seat once held by Iowa Democratic Party chair Mark Smith of Marshalltown has long been held by party. Smith announced he would retire from state politics in 2018.

Cahill spent Election Night having a socially-distanced bonfire with friends and family. She said they wanted to “respect all those that have suffered from COVID.”

“I am honored and humbled by all the people in District 71. It really fills my heart that they have entrusted me to carry on the steps for the next representative of northern Marshall County and Marshalltown,” she said. “I am very excited to take on the role of helping make Iowa a better place.”

As a longtime teacher in the Marshalltown Community School District, Cahill’s top priority when she gets to work at the statehouse is to address education.

“We need to create our next generation who will support and propel Iowa to be the best that we can be,” she said.

She said her experience as a city council member has shown she is willing and capable of working with people on both sides of the aisle.

“I will listen to everyone and I will represent all members of our community at the Iowa State House,” she said.

Reed said he is proud of the campaign he ran. It was his first time running for office after contemplating it for many years.

“Obviously we’re disappointed but I’m proud of the campaign we ran,” he said. “We used local money to run our campaign.”

He said he isn’t counting on running for office again.

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Contact Joe Fisher at 641-753-6611 or jfisher@timesrepublican.com