Johnson County: Familiar names on special election ballot

Polls are open yet again this week in Johnson County - the fourth election in four months.

Iowa City held a primary and special election for a vacant City Council seat earlier this fall, followed by the regularly scheduled November election. On Tuesday, voters will choose a candidate to replace Kurt Friese, who died unexpectedly in October.

The two candidates are familiar to local voters. Democrat Royceann Porter is a union organizer and community activist who lost an Iowa City Council election in 2013. Republican Phil Hemingway is a business owner and Iowa City School Board member who lost a race for supervisor this year. Both were nominated by party conventions.

' Porter: Create opportunities for all residents

' Hemingway: Restore focus on county's basic priorities

If Porter wins, she would be the first black woman to win county office in Johnson County history. If Hemingway wins, he would be only the second Republican to serve on the board in more than 50 years.

The last day to vote early at the Johnson County Auditor's office is Monday. Voting Tuesday is at regular polling places. Details are available at jcauditor.com.