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Statement from the County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Regarding Mayoral Candidate’s Withdrawal Announcement

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October 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

Red Oak, Iowa — Jill Ozuna, Montgomery County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, said Friday evening, that she was made aware of candidate John Haidsiak publicly announcing his intention to withdraw from the city of Red Oak mayoral race.  Iowa election law, Ozuna says, stipulates that the deadline to formally withdraw as a candidate was September 23, 2025. Because that deadline has passed, the candidate’s name must remain on the ballot and cannot be removed.
Ozuna says “The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office and the Commissioner of Elections do not endorse, support, or oppose any candidate or political position. Our responsibility and commitment is to administer elections in a fair, transparent, and lawful manner, ensuring that all eligible voters have access to an accurate ballot and a secure voting process.”
Voters are encouraged to stay informed and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election. Absentee voting is currently underway in the Auditor’s Office at 105 E. Coolbaugh Street, Red Oak. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
For questions about voting or election procedures, please contact the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office at 712-623-5127 or visit the county’s official website www.montgomerycountyia.gov

Friday afternoon, Red Oak mayoral candidate John Haidsaik issued a statement to the media, whereby he withdrew his name from consideration for the Nov. 4th election. Haidsaik said that while it’s too late to take his name off of the ballot, he is “No longer running for the office of Mayor in Red Oak,” and added his apology for what he “Said recently at the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council Conversation with The Candidates.” He said he “truly did not intend to offend anyone.”

You can listen to and view a transcript of Haidsailk’s comments he made Wednesday that drew much criticism, in a separate story on the kjan.com News page.