Democrat Tom Rielly beats upstart Michael Hadley

By DUANE NOLLEN
The Oskaloosa Herald

OSKALOOSA November 05, 2008 01:00 pm

— Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Tom Rielly defeated Republican challenger Michael Hadley Tuesday to retain his Iowa Senate District 38 seat in the Legislature.
Rielly won Mahaska County by a margin of 4,257 to Hadley’s 3,010. In the district, Rielly garnered 16,226 votes to Hadley’s total of 12,236.
Rielly said it was a long night for him.
“It was almost 1 o’clock before I saw a check mark by my name,” he said.
Rielly was pleased with the campaign.
“I’m proud of the campaign we ran,” he said.
Rielly said he had bought a new pair of shoes before the campaign got going and said he would wear them out. He did.
Rielly praised his opponent.
Hadley ran a “clean and honorable campaign,” he said. “I was real proud of the tenor of the campaign.” Instead of mudslinging, the candidates focused on issues, he said.
Rielly said the first thing he will work on is financing road and bridge infrastructure improvements across the state. He said he will reach across party lines to do it and begin the effort before the next legislative session.
Hadley congratulated Rielly on his victory.
“This is quite an exciting time in American politics,” he said. “I knew it was going to be a tough battle.”
Although Hadley lost the election, running for office was something he has always wanted to do.
“It has been an interesting time and I’ve met a lot of people,” Hadley said.
Hadley said he wasn’t going to let defeat get him down.
“I’ve never let it slow me down,” he said.
Hadley said he is looking forward to the next four years in Iowa and national politics.
Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com