Kaufmann vote is blow to local control

A quick Google search turns up several instances of Iowa Rep. Bobby Kaufmann claiming to support local control. Unfortunately, his voting record tells a very different story.

Take House File 2372 as an example. The bill requires counties of more than 60,000 people to create districts for county supervisors as dictated by Republicans in the Iowa Legislature. Currently, voters in each county decide what type of representation they want. This is the exact opposite of local control.

Rep. Kaufmann voted to strip the rights of voters in Linn, Scott and Johnson counties. Conveniently, the same bill takes no rights from voters in Cedar County. Why the difference? You can start by looking to Bobby's father, Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa and who serves on the Cedar County Board of Supervisors.

So, Rep. Kaufmann voted to have the state decide things for Johnson County, but allows Cedar County to decide for itself. Does that make any sense? Only if your last name is Kaufmann.

Here's hoping voters in Eastern Iowa will hold Rep. Kaufmann accountable for this egregious display of hypocrisy.

Rod Sullivan

Johnson County Supervisor

Iowa City