6 vie for 3 seats in Johnson County supervisors primary

IOWA CITY - Six Democrats, including two incumbents, are running for their party's nomination for three seats on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in Tuesday's primary election.

No Republicans have filed for November's election, but they have until Aug. 31.

Polls will be open for Johnson County residents from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and a list of polling locations can be found on the auditor's website. Only registered Democrats or those who switch affiliation to the Democratic Party, which can be done the day of the primary, can vote in the race.

Johnson County Democrats Chairwoman Martha Hedberg Latta said one of the biggest issues candidates face is a lack of affordable housing, calling rents in Iowa City 'just absolutely sky high.” Many of the candidates keyed on the need for more affordable housing, as well as mental health care and the land use plan.

Kurt Friese

Friese, owner of the Iowa City restaurant Devotay, said he is running because he is passionate about the county's land use plan, which the board is due to update, as well as mental health resources. He said all of his efforts, which he outlines in his platform on his website, will focus on making Johnson County more sustainable, regenerative and inclusive.

He said he has spent much of his career providing local food to the community, and it's 'difficult to do that when you pave farmland” so he wants to focus on planning and zoning.

Lisa Green-Douglass

Green-Douglass, an incumbent, decided to run again because she wanted to see to completion projects she and fellow board members started. The projects include repurposing the Poor Farm into a community garden as well as collaborating with law enforcement and the mental health care community to better meet the needs of those who are mentally ill.

She said both projects are appealing to her because they have an 'absolutely collaborative effort” and a wide reach. Green-Douglass said food insecurity and a lack of affordable housing were also concerns for the county.

Patricia Heiden

Heiden said because of her role as director of Oaknoll Retirement Center, she would bring the quality of good governance to the board. She said this means she knows how to carefully use resources and respectfully listen to others.

Heiden said her platform focuses on providing resources for the elderly, improving access to mental health care and increasing access to affordable housing. To accomplish this, she said she could bring collaboration, cooperation and inclusiveness to the board.

Mike Hull

Hull said his and his family's ties to the community would make him a good supervisor. Hull, an emergency medical services helicopter pilot, said he is a military veteran and was born and raised in Johnson County - both characteristics the board needs more of, he said.

Hull said he could better communicate with the county's smaller towns. He said he also would work to better veterans issues and mental health care in the county as well as infrastructure, land use and affordable housing.

Jason T. Lewis

Lewis, director of the Writing and Humanities program at the Carver College of Medicine, said he has a three-tiered platform if he is elected. This includes developing a 'housing bill of rights” by creating discussions on issues like affordable housing and fair renters agreements, championing child welfare and supporting the arts with possibly a county center.

Lewis said he wanted to run after he saw the board raise the minimum wage in the county and realized it would be an opportunity to make 'impactful changes.” He said his creativity and problem solving skills is what sets him apart.

Rod Sullivan

Sullivan, an incumbent, said his experience on the board during changes like the Johnson County minimum wage increase, the Human Rights Ordinance and the Sensitive Areas Ordinance were accomplishments for voters to consider.

Sullivan said his campaign is focused on people and includes improving affordable housing and mental health care. He said if elected again, he'd like to improve communication with marginalized groups as well as work on land use planning and transforming the Poor Farm into a community garden.