CEDAR RAPIDS — John Harris, Linn County’s lone Republican supervisor, is seeking another term on the board.
Harris, who announced Tuesday is plans to seek a third term on the board, described himself as a fiscally responsible supervisor who listens to the opinions of all county residents.
“I believe I have represented my constituents in a positive and steadfast way during the past eight years. I will continue to promote sound fiscal practices by ensuring the County lives within its means, and is an outstanding steward of the public trust. If re-elected, I will continue to build thoughtful relationships with department managers and elected officials as we continue our work to balance essential services and tax revenues,” Harris said in a Tuesday email.
Harris touted several accomplishments over his eight years as supervisor, including improving rural roads with dust control processes, adding signage to previously uncontrolled intersections, supporting businesses and economic growth and building relationships with other local and state elected officials.
“I am endorsed by the 9,000 people who voted for me in the last election, and I work every day to keep their trust and support. I sincerely work hard everyday in the office to show those who did not vote for me in the last election they should consider doing so,” Harris said.
The public in 2016 voted to reduce the county board from five supervisors to three.
Following redistricting for three supervisors, which was approved late last year by the state, Harris will run in District 3. That district includes much of rural Linn County and Marion and Mount Vernon.
Currently, Harris is the only Republican to file for the county’s District 3 seat, which means he could run unopposed in the June 5 primary. The candidate filing deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Fellow Supervisor and Democrat Brent Oleson has filed for the District 3 seat, which means the two could find themselves vying for the same spot on the board come November.
Current Supervisor Ben Rogers earlier this month announced his plans to run for another term. County Auditor Joel Miller had been exploring a run for supervisor, but late last year he changed his party affiliation to “no party.”
Supervisors Stacey Walker and Jim Houser earlier this year announced plans to seek another term on the board. Both Democrats reside in the new District 1 and will face each other in the June primary.
Earlier this year in a blind drawing, District 1 and District 2 were selected for four-year terms and District 3 will see a two-year term. The District 3 vote in 2020 will be for a standard four-year term. The end result will maintain the county’s staggered term limits for supervisors after the 2018 election.
l Comments: (319) 398-8309; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com