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Residents of western Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri will go to be the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6.The various ballots across the tri-state region feature races for governor, congress, and seats in state legislatures and county government.The news department at Tri States Public Radio has been talking to the candidates so you can be a more informed voter.

Tom Broeker - Des Moines County Board - Election 2018

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Tom Broeker (R) is running for re-election to the Des Moines County Board

The November ballot features two names in the race for a seat on the Des Moines County Board: incumbent Tom Broeker (R) and challenger Laura Blanchard (D). Broeker wants to continue working to provide public services while also lowering property taxes.

About

Tom Broeker said he’s spent most of his life in Des Moines County, working as a union ironworker for about 15 years and eventually owning a steel company for about 20 years before selling it in 2005.  

Why Running

Broeker said he first ran for the board in 2010 because he did not like what the previous board was doing. He said the county’s budget was in a crisis, with talk of layoffs and furloughs.

“Today, there’s no talk of layoffs or furloughs, the sheriff gets new patrol cars on a regularly scheduled basis, and we have a healthy budget and fund balances.”

Broeker said he wants to remain in office to keep the county moving forward while also continuing to reduce the local property tax rate.

“You lead by example. The board didn’t expect everyone else to tighten their belt without doing it themselves and you don’t cut services.”

Top Priorities

Broeker said if elected to a third term on the board, he would focus on mental health care services in the county and reducing property taxes while maintaining mandated services such as public safety and infrastructure.

Opponent

Laura Blanchard is the Democratic Party nominee for the Des Moines County Board.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.