Gardner seeks second term as sheriff

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner has announced he'll seek a second term, and a county worker filed the second primary challenge to Auditor Joel Miller.

Brian Gradovill of Cedar Rapids, an employee in the county treasurer's office, filed his candidacy petition the day after former Supervisor Jim Houser filed to challenge Miller in the June 5 Democratic primary.

Gradoville hasn't returned calls seeking more information on his bid.

In his announcement Gardner, 50, said he'd "continue the professionalism of the Linn County Sheriff s Office" in his second term. A 32-year employee of the office, he was former Sheriff Don Zeller's second deputy and patrol division commander when elected in 2008 after Zeller retired.

Gardner cited his role in upgrading department technology, including a new emergency dispatch system to meet new federal requirements, flood recovery work, and lobbying at the state Capitol "for legislation that increases public safety and against legislation that decreases or jeopardizes it."

The sheriff's announcement also includes mention of his successful opposition to supervisors' efforts to cut funding for the department's rescue unit serving the county's rural areas.

"I fought hard to get the funding restored so that Linn County residents would continue to be provided with the most advanced level of emergency medical care possible," Gardner wrote.

The deadline to file for the primary is March 28.

Gardner Candidate Profile

Gardner Re-Election Campaign Announcement