Palo mayor to run for Linn supervisor

John Harris, the mayor of Palo, will run for Linn County supervisor as a Republican in District 5.

“The Board of Supervisors has been very Cedar Rapids-centric,” said Harris, 57, who manages commercial systems contracts at Rockwell Collins and has served on the Palo City Council for nine years. “I have a blending of rural Linn County and urban Linn County.”

Harris said he wants to be a “high-profile” supervisor, one who connects with voters and answers to them.

“You've got to please the boss,” he said.

He describes himself as a fiscally responsible candidate, who will limit spending and tax increases.

Harris joins a District 5 field crowded with Democrats. Incumbent Jim Houser faces primary challenges from Paula Gunter and Eric Johnson. Harris will face whoever emerges.

If Gunter wins the June 8 primary, the District 5 supervisor race will be a clash between city council members from Palo, a town of 950 that was hammered by the flood in 2008.

District 5 covers large sections of southwest Cedar Rapids and the westernmost swath of the county from Fairfax to Walker.

Linn County supervisors make $70,000 per year. Five members serve on the board.

Harris and his wife Phyllis have four daughters.