Challenger and Republican Greg Erceg took a big step toward earning a spot on Johnson County’s governing board on Tuesday, securing a spot on November’s general election ballot along with incumbent Lisa Green-Douglass, representing District 1.
A total of 4,179 votes were cast in the local supervisor primary on June 2, according to unofficial results. Erceg garnered 98% of the votes (1,091 votes), and Green-Douglass captured 57% of the vote (1,769 votes).
Democrat challenger David Woodruff failed to garner enough support to contend for a first term on the board, capturing 43% of the vote (1,319 votes).
The primary comes as a new state law, Senate File 75, reshapes the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.
The law required Johnson, Story, and Black Hawk Counties to adopt a supervisor district system for their elections. Only candidates who live in the district can run for the seat, and only district residents can vote.
Registered democrat voters in District 1 or North Liberty, plus northwest and western-central Johnson County, could vote for either Green-Douglass or Woodruff. The Republican ballot only included Erceg.
Green-Douglass was the top vote-getter, pulling in 1,769 votes, while fellow Democrat, Woodruff garnered 1,319 votes (43%). Erceg nabbed 1,091 (98%).
The general election is set for Tuesday, November 3.
Green-Douglass seeks 4th supervisor term
Green-Douglass, 67, has been on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors since 2016. If elected in November for a fourth term, she will serve a two-year term on the board as part of the new law.
“I’m grateful for my constituents who continued their support of me and showed their confidence in the work I’ve been doing,” Green-Douglass said. “Given that we’re going to have sort of a shake-up, the big thing we need to do [as the current board of supervisors] is to finalize our strategic plan, so that will give us a road map for the new board starting in January.”
Green-Douglass campaign goals include keeping Johnson County a “safe, inclusive and economically vibrant,” while also managing “growth in an environmentally responsible way.” Growth to Green-Douglass is the most pressing issue in the county, and promises to address it by continuing investments in affordable housing, recruiting businesses that bring in quality jobs, along with “continued aggressive maintenance schedule of the county’s economic infrastructure.”
Greg Erceg promises no more ‘wasteful spending’
Erceg, 70, is a retired Federal Service employee who conducted National Security Investigations and now works part-time in auto parts delivery. His political experience includes political volunteering.
If elected to the board in November, Erceg’s campaign promises to end “wasteful spending” and attract more businesses to Johnson County.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Green-Douglass, Erceg prevail in JoCo Supervisors District 1 primary
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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