Sen. Harkin staffer Kim Taylor will run for Linn supervisor in 2014

Kim Taylor, a veteran staff member in Cedar Rapids for Sen. Tom Harkin, is running for Linn County supervisor.

Taylor's announcement on Thursday comes two days after Supervisor Lu Barron said she will not seek re-election to a sixth term in 2014.

Taylor, a Democrat, will run for the Barron-held seat in supervisor District 1, all of which is in Cedar Rapids.

"I am running for the seat as I want to do my part in moving this community forward," said Taylor, 45, of 1416 A Ave. NW.

As a supervisor, she said she will work to make sure that the disaster dollars that have come to the community since the flood of 2008 are being used correctly and reinvested wisely so Linn County "is better than it was before the flood." She said she believes in a county government that is open and transparent, and she said she will be "a listening ear" for the public so she can respond to their concerns.

Taylor is a senior constituent advocate for Sen. Harkin, a position she's held for more than 17 years.

Harkin's retirement at the end of 2014 coincides with the end of Barron's fifth term, which is timing that will allow Taylor to move from Harkin's staff to county elective office at the start of 2015 if she wins the supervisor's race.

"It's been an honor and privilege to work for Sen. Tom Harkin," Taylor said. "In this capacity, I have been able to resolve conflict and make government work for its citizens."

Taylor is married to Todd Taylor, a Democrat, who represents District 70 in the Iowa House of Representatives. The Taylors have two children, Sydney, 12, and Carson, 10.

Taylor is the second Democrat to announce a run for the District 1 supervisor seat.

Robins Mayor Ian Cullis, who did not seek re-election as mayor, has said he will move into Cedar Rapids to compete in the District 1 race.