Houser, Walker rivals close on spending in Linn Supervisor’s race

CEDAR RAPIDS - As the June 5 primary nears, Linn County Board of Supervisors District 1 candidates James Houser and Stacey Walker, running in the county's only contested primary race, are close in terms of spending.

Houser, who started the year with about $3,200 in previous campaign funds, raised nearly $5,600 in cash contributions and ultimately spent about $8,700 so far in campaign expenses.

Walker started the year with about $5,000 on hand, raised close to $12,700 and spent a little over $7,700.

Both candidates spent a large portion of their campaign funds on advertising and campaign materials, according to newly released campaign reports.

Houser, who served on the board from 1990 to 2010 and again since 2015, has touted his experience in many different layers of county government.

Walker, who in 2016 became Linn County's first African-American supervisor, has argued he brings a new energy to the board on issues surrounding economic opportunity.

With the board set to shrink from five supervisors to three this fall, the June 5 District 1 vote will mark the first culling of candidates vying to stay on the board. The winner is poised to go unchallenged in the November election, barring any late entries.

Supervisors John Harris, Brent Oleson and Ben Rogers also are running for another term.

Republican Harris and Democrat Oleson will not meet until the November District 2 race.

In District 3, Democrat Rogers appears poised to face County Auditor Joel Miller, who has said he plans to run for the seat as a no-party candidate.

As a no-party candidate, Miller cannot formally register as a candidate until August.

l Comments: (319) 398-8309; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com