Linn Supervisors choose new chair, vice chair for 2026

CEDAR RAPIDS — Linn County Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt will serve as chair of the board of supervisors this year, with Sami Scheetz as vice chair.

The new leaders were chosen by the board of supervisors during its annual organizational meeting Friday.

Running-Marquardt, who was first elected in 2022, also served as chair in 2024. She was vice chair last year, when Supervisor Brandy Meisheid was chair.

Running-Marquardt represents District 1, which includes the west side of Cedar Rapids, the cities of Ely, Fairfax and part of Walford, the village of Western, and unincorporated areas in southern Linn County.

“As we start 2026, I’m proud of the strong team we have working for Linn County,” Running-Marquardt said in a news release. “We have a busy year ahead with important decisions on fair and responsible budgets, policies, and projects, and through it all our top priority will remain protecting the quality of life for the people who call Linn County home.”

Scheetz was appointed to the board in April 2025 to replace Ben Rogers, who resigned. He represents District 2, which includes northeast and southeast Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha.