Palo council member to run for Linn supervisor

Paula Gunter, a Palo City Council member since 2008, will run as a Democrat for Linn County supervisor in District 5.

Gunter, Eric Johnson and incumbent Jim Houser are vying for the Democratic nomination.

Houser has served on the board since 1990. District 5 includes large parts of west Cedar Rapids and the westernmost swath of Linn County from Fairfax to Walker.

'I really enjoy public service,' Gunter said.

'When the flood came, it really gave me the chance to get more involved in the community, and more politically (involved).' The Board of Supervisors needs diversity, she said, particularly a representative from a small town.

'I think we need some new blood,' she said.

She wants to do away with consultants as the county moves forward on flood recovery. She said Palo did fine, or even better than the county, without consultants.

'Using Adjusters International was the wrong way to go,' she said.

'FEMA was able to answer any questions that we had.' Gunter admits that the hardest part about getting elected may be defeating Houser in the Democratic primary.

Houser's stronghold is southwest Cedar Rapids, the most populous part of District 5. Gunter said she has connections there, too, and will work hard to build relationships in small towns other than Palo.

If Gunter wins, she will face Palo Mayor John Harris in the November election.

Gunter is a financial consultant at Alliant Energy. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Mount Mercy College. She and her husband, Kirk, live in Palo and have two children.

County primaries will be June 8.