Iowa Republicans won four open legislative seats in the Des Moines metro area.

In one of the heavily contested open seats of the Iowa House, Republican attorney Chris Hagenow defeated Windsor Heights Mayor Jerry Sullivan, a Democrat, by just 141 votes -- 8,192 to 8,051. That's 50.4 percent to 49.5 percent, with all precincts reporting in House District 59. The two previous office-holders in that seat were Republicans Dan Clute and Gene Maddox.

Another open seat put Republican Peter Cownie over Democrat Alan Koslow in House District 60 by a margin of 54 to 42 percent, with 11 out of 12 precincts reporting. That seat was vacated by Republican state Rep. Libby Jacobs.

In House District 69, Republican newcomer Erik Helland defeated Democrat Richard Sosalla. And in House District 70, Republican Kevin Koester defeated Democrat Matt Pfaltzgraf.

With 172 of 183 precincts counted, Polk County voters chose Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain, 56 to 42 percent.

Their votes also went to U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin over Republican challenger Christopher Reed, 62 to 38 percent; and to U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell over Republican challenger Kim Schmett, 57 to 41 percent.

Legislative incumbents Kevin McCarthy, Ako Abdul-Samad, Scott Raecker, Rick Olson, Janet Petersen, Brad Zaun, Pat Ward, Dick Dearden, Geri Huser, Jo Oldson, Wayne Ford and Bruce Hunter also won their bids for re-election.

See Polk County election results

Labels: 2008_election