Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald ruled that the evidence used to challenge Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver’s residency failed to be sufficient enough to overcome the presumption Whitver’s declared residence is indeed his residence.
Whitver’s representation at last week’s hearing said Whitver is living in a Grimes apartment while his wife and children remain living at the family’s home in Ankeny.
Ann Gale filed the challenge against Whitver in early November. Whitver, who moved after re-districting, claimed to reside at 3400 SE Glenstone Dr., Unit 11 in Grimes. Gale alleged Whitver does not reside at that address.
The hearing happened last week in Des Moines. Whitver did not show up, nor did his wife Rachel. The challenger had served a “subpoena to appear” but that subpoena was not issued or authorized by Fitzgerald.
Emma Weinert submitted a verbal statement as evidence Whitver still resides in Ankeny with his family. Weinert was door-knocking for a campaign in Ankeny and Rachel Whitver told Weinert the family still lived at the Ankeny home, according to Weinert’s affidavit.
Whitver’s social media profiles still listed his address as Ankeny, as do all of his business filings registered with the Secretary of State. Water bills from the Grimes apartment from January to September were also submitted by Gale showing little-to-no usage.
Whitver declared his residence to be the Grimes location around Aug. 8. He notified the Secretary of State about the change on Sept. 2 and filed his DR-1 Statement of Organization with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board where he identified his residence as the Grimes address. Whitver provided a photo of a UPS package addressed to him with the Grimes address. He also submitted a sworn affidavit in August of 2022 that he was preparing to establish residency at the Grimes address.
