After 25 years of one Republican serving in the Iowa Senate retired, a new Republican will take his place in the 24th District.

Jesse Green was declared the unofficial winner, having defeated Democrat challenger Cynthia Paschen. Green will take the seat that was previously held by Jerry Behn of Boone for a quarter-century. Green describes his initial reaction when he won by 65-percent of the votes.

“The first feeling that I had was just overwhelming gratitude. I have truly been blessed way more than I deserve throughout my life, and this is just another blessing that the Lord has given me. My belief is that with every blessing that we are given, we must figure out a way to utilize that for other people that are around us.”

The bible teacher at Community Christain School in Fort Dodge talks about being a part of the largest voter turnout in Iowa’s history.

“I’m really proud of the voters, because with a record turnout like that, they didn’t take their vote for granted. I’m only 35-years-old, but that’s one common thing throughout my life is that people take their rights for granted. Thank goodness that it appears people didn’t take that right (to vote) for granted. Hopefully, that’s going to be a new attitude going forward that spills over into other things.”

Green will represent the 24th District, which includes Greene, Boone, and portions of Hamilton, Webster and Story counties.