Election season is near.
Recently passed Senate File 75 required Johnson County to adopt a supervisor district system for its elections. Only candidates who live in a specific district can run for the seat, and only residents within the district can vote.
The full impact of the law will be felt in the 2026 election, with all five supervisor districts up for grabs. Initially, only Jon Green, District 2, and V Fixmer-Oraiz, District 4, were slated for election this year. Now, 10 democratic candidates are on the primary ballot across five districts, including incumbents Lisa Green-Douglass, Rod Sullivan and Mandi Remington.
With the Tuesday, June 2, Republican and Democratic primary election quickly approaching, the Iowa City Press-Citizen asked Johnson County Board of Supervisors candidates about their priorities, qualifications, and vision for the county’s future.
The Press-Citizen sent questions to all area candidates. Their answers have been lightly edited for length.
Here is what you need to know about the District 5 Johnson County Board of Supervisors candidates:
Joe Reilly
Age: 40
Hometown: Council Bluffs
Current residence: Iowa City
Occupation: Director of operations & nighttime initiatives – Iowa City Downtown District
Education: BA, Theatre Arts – University of Iowa 2010
Political experience: First time running for elected office
Mandi Remington
Age: 43
Hometown: I consider Iowa City my hometown, but I also grew up in North Liberty, Japan, and California.
Current residence: Iowa City
Occupation: Johnson County Supervisor
Education: Coursework completed toward an Associate of Arts in Education, Kirkwood Community College
Political experience: I founded the Corridor Community Action Network in 2019. I served a 4-year term on the Iowa City Community Police Review Board. At the University of Iowa, I was chair of the Council on the Status of Women, the Safety and Security Committee, and the Center for Disabilities and Development DEI Committee. I now serve as a Johnson County Supervisor.
Why are you running for a seat on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors?
Reilly: This redistricted open race is a moment of change. It is an opportunity for our county to be more representative and effective. I look to bring my skills in organization, employee management, budgeting, financial controls, community leadership, advocacy, process implementation, coalition building, and discernment to the Board of Supervisors at a time when we will need to be more nimble and collaborative across the county.
Remington: I’m running for re-election because local government should be responsive, accessible, and representative of the people it serves. As a single parent and domestic violence survivor, I know what it means to struggle to make ends meet, and I bring that understanding to my work every day. Over the past 16 months, I’ve driven progress by building relationships with elected officials across the country. That work brought a field mediation program to Johnson County, set to launch in January. I want to be here to see it through and continue delivering innovative solutions for our community.
What is the most pressing issue Johnson County is facing, and how will you address it?
Reilly: Quality of life. This includes, but is not limited to, affordable housing, protecting our natural resources and beauty, autonomy, and economic prosperity and financial solvency. I’ve learned from my time at the Downtown District that if you don’t have all the involved stakeholders spinning their gears together, things are going to grind. So when we talk about affordable housing, let’s bring in all our communities and partners putting resources into this, including the Greater Iowa City Home Builders Association. Another example would be asking other Iowa counties to contribute to water nitrate monitoring; JoCo can’t be the only county that cares.
Remington: The most pressing issue facing Johnson County is that it is becoming harder for people to meet their basic needs. If re-elected, I will continue working to expand access to housing and food support and to strengthen coordination among local providers so people can get help more quickly and easily. My focus remains on ensuring residents can access the resources they need without unnecessary delays or barriers.
What are two or three other issues that you hope to address if elected?
Reilly: I want to explore a manager model for the board as stated in the current county strategic planning process. The board would still have oversight of such an employee, and it would provide stronger guidance to support decision-making, address knowledge gaps for supervisors, and maintain the continuity of our core county services. This person would remain politically impartial and with the community’s best interest in mind. I also want to establish a budget reserve maximum to ensure our government can handle future headwinds, while also clarifying when extra funds may become available to spend on additional services.
Remington: I am focused on making local government more accessible, responsive, and accountable to the people it serves. That means improving how residents navigate county systems, strengthening transparency, and encouraging meaningful civic participation. I will continue working to ensure local decision-making is rooted in community and reflects the lived experiences of the people most affected. Protecting residents’ civil rights remains a core responsibility of local government, and I will continue to defend equitable treatment and accessibility for all of our community members.
A bond referendum for a new sheriff’s office and jail may be on the November ballot. The project is anticipated to cost $90 to $100 million. Do you support building the new facility and why?
Reilly: Yes, I support a single-issue bond to replace the sheriff’s office and jail, creating a more humane space for those incarcerated and improving the safety of county employees. We need space for accommodations, visitation, and recreation, but we also just need space. My understanding is that the site selected would allow for that. What if that site, with its room for expansion, hosted more needs-based interventions and/or rehabilitation programming in the future? It’s an opportunity, but we must set this community up to get closer to that moment and pass the bond that serves the immediate needs. Let’s not make the mistake of land-locking the possibilities.
Remington: Yes, I support building a new, safe sheriff’s office and jail that meets current standards and provides adequate space for operations and services. I advocated for a right-sized, fiscally responsible project with full transparency on cost, scope, and long-term intent. I proposed it as part of a comprehensive public safety measure that included investments in diversion, crisis response, first responder facilities, mobile integrated health, and behavioral health systems. While I don’t support unnecessary expansion, I do support placing the bond before voters and will continue my work strengthening the broader public safety infrastructure Johnson County depends on.
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: 2 Democrats vie for the Johnson County District 5 supervisor seat
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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