Jim Houser wins a spot on the ballot for Linn County supervisor

Jim Houser appeared all but certain late Tuesday night to be on the November ballot as a Democratic candidate for Linn County supervisor. Again.

“It would be tough for anyone to beat Jim Houser,” said Eric Johnson, the third-place finisher in Tuesday night's District 5 primary race.

With 19 of 21 precincts reporting, Houser held a solid lead, with 453 votes to Paula Gunter's 314 and Johnson's 172. Turnout was barely 3 percent of the 31,868 voters in the district, which includes a large area of southwest Cedar Rapids and the county's western townships.

“Probably one of the lowest turnouts I can remember as a primary,” said Houser, who attributed the low Democratic turnout to the attention focused on Republican primary contests for governor and Congress.

Still, the result “just reflects I'm doing a good job,” Houser said.

Gunter, 41, a Palo City Council member, said she relied on face-to-face campaigning.

“I'm not the kind of person who can ask for money from people,” she said. “Maybe having publicity out there would've helped me, but who knows?”

Houser, 56, of Cedar Rapids, said he's glad he'll have the chance to continue the supervisors' flood recovery work with a sixth term.

“We've never ever in the history of our county done as much rebuilding as we are right now,” he said. “We're basically going to come out of this with a new county infrastructure. We're going to keep moving forward.”

Johnson, 27, of Cedar Rapids, said he was happy with his first campaign, made more difficult by his preparation for the state bar exam. He said he learned about the basics of organizing and running a campaign.

“Everyone has to start somewhere, so I'm pleased with the results,” he said.

Gunter and Johnson said they'll both stay involved with county politics.

“I keep up with what the county's doing,” said Gunter. “Maybe if the time is right I'll run again in four years.”

“It's a good start, and I'm excited to stay active in politics in Linn County,” said Johnson.

Palo Mayor John Harris has filed to run as a Republican for the district's seat in November.