Who is running for Jasper County Recorder in 2026?

Jasper County Recorder (appointed)

Joe Otto is the Jasper County Recorder. The Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 0 on January 20, 2026 to appoint him to serve until December 31, 2026, and he took the oath of office on January 27²³. The county lists him as Recorder and Michelle Hull as Deputy Recorder⁴. He previously worked as director of the Jasper County Historical Museum⁵. He is on the November ballot with no party for Recorder, and also for Soil and Water Commissioner¹.

• Jasper County Recorder since January 2026²³⁴
• Former director of the Jasper County Historical Museum⁵; the Newton Daily News reports he also serves on the Jasper County Soil and Water board⁷
• In August 2026 he presented the supervisors a quarterly report showing about one-third of the Recorder's office revenue stays in the county and the rest goes to the state⁶
• Appointed by the Board of Supervisors on January 20, 2026 to the vacant Recorder position, to serve until December 31, 2026; oath administered January 27, 2026²³.

Deputy Recorder, Jasper County

Michelle Hull, 31, is a deputy in the Jasper County Recorder's Office and the Republican candidate for Recorder¹²³. She says she has worked in the office for seven years after being hired by former Recorder Denise Allan³. She says her goals are more community outreach and extended office hours at key times³.

• Deputy Recorder, Jasper County Recorder's Office, listed on the county's staff page²
• By her own account, seven years in the office, hired by former Recorder Denise Allan³
• By her own account, graduated from Newton High School in 2013 and earlier worked at Progress Industries and Clearview Recovery³
• Interviewed by the Board of Supervisors for the vacant Recorder position in January 2026; the board appointed Joe Otto⁴
• She is a candidate for an office she does not currently hold; the incumbent is Joe Otto, appointed by the Board of Supervisors on January 20, 2026²⁴.