Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson seeks third term

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson has announced his plan to run for a third term on the county board.

The county's District 4 supervisor since 2008, Oleson said in a Tuesday news release that he had filed his nominations papers for re-election. On Saturday, he will make a formal announcement of his campaign during the Linn County Democratic Convention at Washington High School.

Oleson said keeping Linn County competitive, not just locally, but regionally, is something he is passionate about.

'We need to be able to compete with other states for businesses and associated jobs in order to keep our economy healthy. It isn't enough to lure businesses here or create an economic environment for growth, if we're not providing parallel conditions for a desirable quality of life for the workforce, their families and our citizens generally. Linn County has wonderful natural areas, ripe for enhancement to enjoy hiking, trail biking, canoeing, camping, exploring, hunting, birding, and about a thousand other outdoor activities,” Oleson said in the release.

Oleson, who lives in rural Marion, graduated from the University of Iowa in 1995 and received his Juris Doctorate in 2000. He has spent time as a private practice lawyer and worked in with the Iowa Secretary of State's Office and Legislative Services Bureau.

Oleson said other issues he plans to focus on include fiscal discipline in county budgeting, maintaining or lowering property taxes and maintaining the county's Aaa bond rating.