Linn County supervisor endorsements

The race in Linn County supervisor District 1 pits Democratic state Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt against Republican Mark Banowetz. Our endorsement goes to Runn-Marquardt.

After serving in the Legislature for 13 years, Running-Marquardt has valuable experience navigating state government that could benefit the county’s agenda in Des Moines. Running-Marquardt’s roles as a local lawmaker also helped her build relationships with local government leaders at every level, relationships that should help the county build more constructive, collaborative ties to the City of Cedar Rapids and other local governments.

“I have been and will continue to work with various government entities (federal, state, county, cities, and schools) to bring people together in bipartisan ways, breakdown barriers, and get results for the residents of Linn County,” Running-Marquardt wrote in her questionnaire.

Running-Marquardt points to cooperation between the county and the city of Cedar Rapids on how best to use American Rescue Plan Act funds as an example of valuable collaboration.

Among Running-Marquardt’s priorities expanding access to mental health services, especially for children. She would seek to build partnerships with unions, businesses and area colleges to help address a shortage of skilled workers. Running-Marquardt would like to see coordinated efforts by local governments to expand affordable housing. And she supported solar projects approved by the board.

DISTRICT 2

In Linn County supervisor District 2, Republican Brett Mason is challenging Democratic Supervisor Ben Rogers. Our endorsement goes to Rogers.

Rogers played a leading role in creating the Mental Health Access Center in Cedar Rapids, which helps people experiencing a mental health crisis receive immediate care instead of being sent to hospital emergency rooms or to jail.

“The Mental Health Access Center has saved lives, provides cost effect services, and is supported by law enforcement, hospitals, ambulance services, and nonprofit service providers,” Rogers wrote in his questionnaire. Rogers wants to further expand mental health services in the county, and his experience on the issue is an asset for the board.

Asked about improving relations between the county and other local governments, Rogers pointed to cooperation on pandemic mitigation measures, funding economic development organizations and investments in infrastructure projects in small communities. The county and Cedar Rapids have aligned their legislative agendas, invested together in affordable housing efforts and cooperated to create a cold weather overflow shelter for the homeless. Rogers favors expanding the board from three to five members and supported large-scale solar projects as tools for addressing climate change.

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