Todays News

Election 2025: Two current city councilors running for Marshalltown mayor, four candidates vie for two at-large council seats

The filing deadline for the 2025 city and school board elections on Nov. 4 has come and passed by the time this issue of the T-R goes to press, and the city of Marshalltown will see at least three new officeholders come Jan. 1, 2026.

Current Mayor Joel Greer has indicated that he will not seek re-election after serving two terms and, before that, spending four years on the city council representing Ward 2. In the running to replace him are Ward 1 Councilor Mike Ladehoff, who served from 1997 to 2003 and then got back onto the council in 2020 after winning a special election when Sue Cahill was elected to the Iowa House, and At-Large Councilor Gary Thompson, who is serving his second term after winning re-election in 2023 and previously unsuccessfully ran for mayor against Greer in the 2017 election.

"After a dozen years on city council -- four as 2nd Ward councilor then eight as mayor -- and especially after challenges from a tornado, derecho, covid epidemic and now the Legionnaire's outbreak -- I look forward to passing the baton at the end of this year. It has been a pleasure to work with such civic-minded councilors and such dedicated city staff. It has been an honor to represent Marshalltown, the Veterans Capitol of Iowa. Our city is known for so many best-in-state features, including the vibrant youth leadership, diversity and collaboration we have come to enjoy, and I will always remain Marshalltown Proud," Greer said.

During an interview with the T-R, Ladehoff, who is employed with Emerson, explained that he is running for mayor to continue Marshalltown's current momentum on the downtown reconstruction and Linn Creek District projects including the Apgar Family Water Plaza and the expansion of the trail system.

"It's pretty undeniable that Marshalltown right now is a happening community. It really is, but that doesn't come easy. It comes with an awful lot of hard work by literally dozens of people working together for years to make things happen," he said. "I also think that we need to find new ways to get younger people involved in our community one way or another. They have a great voice, and someday this is going to be their community too. At times, I don't think that we ask them enough (about) what they think, what should we need, that type of thing. (I'd like to) invite them into the decision making process a little more."

Ladehoff would also like to work with the state legislature to help them understand how decisions they make impact city governments.

"I'm concerned that we will end up cutting services because we run a pretty bare bones budget. Right now, the city of Marshalltown does not have a fully staffed department, not one," he said. "When I was on the city council in the late '90s into the 2000s, we had 196 employees. I remember that very well. Now, we're at about 160, and everybody is still getting the same services, so that tells me two things. Number one, computers have probably helped a little bit. The other one is that we've got employees that we are really stretching -- police, fire, all of that -- especially when you're in a growth mode as Marshalltown is, and we need to keep that going as long as we can because someday that will end. And what we end up with, we end up with. We can do amazing things in this town, and all the pieces are there. It's whether we have the courage to pick them all up and make them go."

He mentioned the city's ongoing investment of $8 to $10 million annually in various street projects and added that the old hospital property will likely end up in the city's hands in the years to come as it has become "abandoned" and "left for dead" under its current owner, Scott Covalt.

"We can fine him all we want. He's not gonna pay it, so in order to continue the growth for Marshalltown and all of that, we have to bring that into compliance or take other action," Ladehoff said.

The candidate is hoping for a strong turnout in an odd-year election and hopes that those who like the city's current direction will go to the polls on Nov. 4. In explaining his mayoral candidacy, Thompson, a veteran and former Lennox employee who once ran the UPS Store in Marshalltown, said he brings a unique perspective to the issues facing the community in a statement to the T-R.

"I am running for Mayor because certain perceived negative issues like: homelessness, lack of timely nuisance abatement, not having a street repair program, not eliminating dilapidated properties, not concentrating on building affordable starter homes, and not meeting the housing needs for all income levels, for example, are not being discussed seriously enough. If we don't discuss these issues openly and honestly, we will not be able to come up with creative remedies. We should concentrate on the concerns of the 27,000 residents that make their homes in Marshalltown. We need to listen to the majority of the people that choose to live here. By making Marshalltown the nicest, cleanest, and safest town, then and only then, will the population grow organically," Thompson said. "I want to be the next Mayor of Marshalltown because I can bring a different perspective to the issues, as I have done for the last five and one half years as a City Councilor. I can bring different people, different "messages" to the table, without getting hung up on the "messenger." It is so much easier to debate the facts and find common sense and common ground solutions when the emotions are removed from the equations. I know that it does not take a million dollars to fix a $100 issue. I look forward to working with small business owners in efforts to grow their businesses. There are several ideas and solutions that can be implemented in Marshalltown that are proven successes in other towns our size. Marshalltown has such a rich history. I want to be a part of adding success stories to that history."

Marshalltown city council

In the at-large council race, incumbent Jeff Schneider, the director of Information Technology at MARSHALLTOWN Company who was first elected in 2021, is seeking a second term, but fellow incumbent Barry Kell, whose seat was up for re-election as well, has chosen not to seek a second term. Thus, Cahill, a retired educator who held the First Ward seat from 2017 to 2020 before resigning after being elected to the Iowa House, has filed to run for an at-large seat along with Scott McLain, a former Marshall County Soil and Water Commissioner and National Guard veteran who works for the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and operates the downtown business Sawdust and Flames with his wife Lori, and Timothy Bradbury, a JBS employee and school bus driver who previously applied for appointment to the Ward 1 seat in 2017 after the passing of Bob Schubert.

Schneider shared the following statement with the T-R about why he is seeking a second term.

"I'm running again to serve the citizens of Marshalltown because I want to keep our momentum going. Look around anywhere in town and you'll see construction. This is mainly private investment in businesses, then public dollars spent on roads and underground infrastructure, and private/public/grant money spent on recreational trails and amenities that attract and retain young families and active people. I believe my votes on council have helped set the stage for this kind of growth. I've kept focused on Marshalltown's future, and I'm excited about where we're headed," he said. "Four years on council has taught me valuable lessons. I understand why things work the way they do in local government – what we can and cannot do, and why. I bring a skillset that's increasingly essential in elected leadership: a deep understanding of technology, including AI, which I use daily in my work. This perspective helps me see opportunities others might miss. My wife and I are from Marshalltown. We're invested here, and we love this community. When collecting signatures, the support and encouragement from neighbors was overwhelming. People thanked me for running again, and that means everything.

With two at-large seats available and four candidates running, a vote for me is a future-focused vote with a good perspective. I believe my proven track record of forward-thinking votes and commitment to progress makes me the right choice to continue serving Marshalltown. You'll start seeing 'Elect Schneider' signs around town soon. I'm excited about this campaign and even more excited about Marshalltown's future. I ask for your vote to keep moving our city forward."

Cahill, a Democrat who lost her Iowa House District 52 re-election bid to Republican David Blom in 2024 after serving two two-year terms, also shared a statement on her decision to run for the at-large seat with the T-R.

"I felt that was a good fit since I had represented all of Marshalltown for two terms in the Iowa House of Representatives. I also learned you can make a much bigger, more immediate impact at the local level than at the state level. I served on the City Council from 2017 to 2020, so I can hit the ground running," she said. "I have many of my same goals for council and the citizens of Marshalltown as I did in my first term. They include making our community strong for the people who live here, for people who work here, for the businesses that operate here and for those who visit here. I want to support those who provide our public safety and public services through our city budgeting process with input from our citizens. I am a listener first, then I use this input to help my decision making process. I look forward to serving on the city council representing the community at large."

McLain told the T-R he was driven to run in hopes that the city could "do better," and his schedule finally allowed it once he retired from the National Guard and spent two years helping his young granddaughter through a battle with neuroblastoma. If elected, he would like to see the council reorganize its priorities.

"I want to see Marshalltown grow. I want to see us bring in businesses, bring in jobs, bring in opportunities and bring in people, but if we don't have the correct infrastructure in place, they're not going to come, and I think there needs to be some focus on the infrastructure," he said. "We don't replace the carpet when the roof is leaking."

He also feels that city spending should be re-evaluated, and he would like to change the perception of Marshalltown as "a bedroom community" by attracting businesses that don't want to operate in a large metropolitan area.

"I think the other one is common sense. We need to bring the common sense back in. We need to have a little more common sense where we dive into how we manage a city," he said.

McLain said he will soon be launching a Facebook page and encouraged voters interested in learning more to stop at Sawdust and Flames, call him at (641) 750-2759 or email scott.mclain1@outlook.com.

Bradbury directed the T-R to comments he had posted in the Marshalltown IA City Council Watch Facebook page about his campaign priorities.

"(I) want to see more openness and communication on issues such as the roads, growing drug and homeless problems, too much money wasted, lack of places for young people like Skate Town and so on (and a) lack of community pride," he said, before also mentioning the loss and lack of jobs for all ages and the condition of the hospital property. "Bob Schubert was a great friend. (I) always liked it when he said who's paying for it."

According to the filings, newcomer Marco Yepez-Gomez in Ward 1 and incumbent Ward 3 Councilor Greg Nichols will both be running unopposed for their seats.

"First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who has helped get the campaign out there organically with door-knocks, conversations with their friends and coworkers, and with social media engagement. This campaign is more than just running for a local seat on city council. This campaign will represent the Marshalltown people who work long hours and still struggle to put food on their table. This campaign will represent the people who are upset with higher-level governments distracting us with senseless policies that are used only to divide rather than focus on policies that unite us. And, finally, this campaign will represent the working-class people no matter what," Yepez-Gomez, a software engineer at MARSHALLTOWN Company, said. "I've interacted with so many great, kind people so far, and I'm excited to continue campaigning until the last minute to keep spreading our message. If you want to learn more about the campaign, visit marcoformarshalltown.com or the Facebook page 'Marco For City Council.'"

Nichols, the Manager of Information Technology Services with Jenzabar Inc. who won a special election to replace Dex Walker after his resignation in 2023, told the T-R he is running for a full term because he believes in the future of the community and recognizes both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

"My goal is to support and encourage progress in Marshalltown, working together to move our city forward. One of the pressing issues we face is the condition of our city streets. With 114 miles of roadway to maintain, many have reached a point where serious attention is needed. These repairs are costly, and while there's no quick fix, we must remain committed to steady progress and long-term solutions," he said. "I'm encouraged by the Council's early start this year with budgeting and financial planning. Starting early in the process allows for careful thought with our strategic decision-making. As a council member, I will prioritize responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars to ensure we get the most value from every investment. Marshalltown has tremendous potential, but it also faces challenges. I'm ready to put in the work to support and promote our city, and I ask for your support as we build a stronger future together. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns."

School board

Three seats are open in the 2025 Marshalltown Community School District Board of Education, and all three incumbents -- Karina Hernandez, Leah Stanley and Zach Wahl -- have submitted the necessary paperwork to seek another term. A fourth candidate, recently retired Marshalltown Learning Academy (MLA) Principal Eric Goslinga, is also jumping into the race.

Stanley said she originally ran for school board to honor the history of teachers in her family and give back to public education "in a way that best utilizes my skills and abilities," which she hopes to continue if elected for another term.

"I have learned we are privileged to have a board that is committed to achieving a high level of learning for students, appreciative of our teachers, and dedicated to the local community. It has been amazing what we have been able to accomplish with the administration, all working together toward similar goals. The Marshalltown School District has good momentum in multiple arenas and I want to not only see those actions through, but help supercharge the positive direction," she said. "There are big projects just starting in the District that I would like to see through: Reimagine Miller and 3DE at MHS, to name two. In addition, there is a lot of change happening outside of MCSD that are having impacts across public education. It will take a strong board working with administration to weather these changes and come out ahead."

Goslinga touted his extensive background in education as a distinguishing feature of his candidacy.

"I decided to run because I want to continue to serve the district. I bring a perspective of 35 years of educational experience. No one currently on the Board has school management experience so I have that unique perspective that could be helpful to the community," he said. "I think Board members should be careful stewards of taxpayer resources so keeping a good eye on tax rates and resource allocation is important. I would advocate that we allocate enough resources to fully sustain and strengthen our dual language programming, especially at 5th grade and above. Our dual language program is a distinguishing feature of the district."

Wahl, an Edward Jones financial advisor by trade who has played a key role in revitalizing the little league baseball fields, also shared a statement on his candidacy with the T-R.

"I am running for the school board again to help carry forward the momentum we've built over the last four years. Lindsey and I have four kids in the district, and as business and property owners, we have a vested interest in our community's success. Our board is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for making Marshalltown a destination for educational opportunities," he said. "I am particularly excited about the newly launched Junior Achievement 3DE Program at the high school, which brings real-world business and financial scenarios to life for our students. We have had tremendous support for the Reimagine Miller rebuild and I am eager to contribute to its success. I feel proud to be a board member where the Marshalltown community values education and invests in our youth. This makes it an easy choice for me to run again."

Hernandez will be seeking her third term on the board.

"I'm running for re-election because I believe in the power of public education, and I want to continue advocating for policies that put students first. Over the past 8 years, I've worked hard to support academic achievement, supporting our educators, increasing parent engagement, and creating more opportunities for students. I want to continue those efforts and more. I also want to see the completion of Miller Middle School -- a project that represents a big investment to our students' future. I'd be honored to continue serving our schools with experience and dedication," she said.

At East Marshall, Andrew Cole was the only candidate to file for the District 4 seat, and no candidates have filed in District 1. At GMG, Kristine Kienzle and Blake Warren are seeking the two available at-large seats, while Kyle Warren and Brad Cox are running for the District 2 seat. No candidates have filed to run in District 1.

At West Marshall, Nathan White was the lone candidate to file for one of three at-large seats on the ballot, and at the Iowa Valley Community College District, Amber Danielson, Jacqueline Pippin and Joanna Hofer are seeking re-election unopposed.

The East and West Marshall school districts will also have bond issues on the ballot, both of which have been featured in previous T-R stories.

Elsewhere in Marshall County

Along with the Marshalltown races, the smaller communities in Marshall County will elect mayors and council members in the November election.

In Albion, current Mayor Patrick Hemming and councilman Logan Kelley are both running for the mayor's seat, and Sarah Dooley Rothman is the only candidate to file for one of the three available council seats. In Clemons, incumbent Chad Affeldt is the lone candidate to file for mayor, and Julie Briggman, Brenda Williamson, Tammy Hinders, Tamra Muschick and Roy Hinders are running for the five available council seats.

In Ferguson, incumbent Dale Thompson is running for mayor against challenger Logan Fehrmann-Mercer, and seven candidates are seeking five available council seats -- Glenda Thompson, Lee Ann Krough, Richard Burchard, Doug McKay, Danny Scovill, Ellen McKay and Michael Good. In Gilman, Laurie Nott and Phil Summers are seeking full four-year terms, while Chellie Craven, John Frohwein and Vicki Schwalbach are seeking three seats to fill vacancies ending in 2027. In Haverhill, Shirley Faircloth and Morgan Daters are running for two council seats on the ballot.

In Laurel, Darrell Bartlett and Troy Johnson are seeking two of the three seats up for election, and in Le Grand, no one has filed to run for mayor while Lou Ann Cooling is the only candidate to file for one of the three council seats available. In Liscomb, Hank Penner is the lone candidate to file for mayor, and Devin Schiebel, Ted Gunderson and Jan Davis are vying for the two available council seats.

In Melbourne, Mayor Cynthia "Boo" Mansager is running for re-election unopposed, and Gary Fricke, Joshua Fuller and Gaege Bracy are vying for two available council seats. In Rhodes, Madelyn Pitzen was the lone candidate to file for one of the two available council seats, and in St. Anthony, no candidates filed to run for mayor while John Hunter, Nicholas Plumski and George Prescott Jr. are running for council with five total seats on the ballot. Finally, in State Center, Mayor Craig Pfantz will seek re-election, while Cody German, Richard Postel, Bob Grant, Dean Schoppe and Jason Latimer will compete for the two council seats available.