Two candidates are competing to replace longtime Polk County Recorder Julie Haggerty, who will retire at the end of the year.
Lisa Chiodo and Luisita McBurney, both Democrats, will face off in the June primary for county recorder, which maintains public records, including real estate documents and vital records. Tiara May-Sims dropped out of the race.
The Register asked each candidate to respond to questions about why they’re running and the biggest issues facing Polk County. Their answers may be edited for length or clarity.
The winner of the June 2 primary election will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Lisa Chiodo
Age: 51
Party: Democrat
Lives in: West Des Moines
Current occupation: Deputy to the Polk County recorder
Education background: Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, human resource certification from Des Moines Area Community College
Political experience: Serving the people of Polk County for the past nine years has been the privilege of my career. Every day I see how the work we do touches real lives — families buying homes, couples getting married, veterans accessing the records they’ve earned. I’m motivated by service, not politics, and by the responsibility we carry to get it right every time.
Luisita McBurney
Age: 50
Party: Democrat
Lives in: Urbandale
Current occupation: Senior retirement compliance officer
Education background: Graduated St. Joseph Cathedral High School, Alaminos City with high school diploma. Completed the certified public manager course through Drake University.
Political experience: Current treasurer for the Iowa Unity Coalition. Volunteered for numerous campaigns up and down the ballot over the past decade.
Why are you running?
Chiodo: I’ve served in the Recorder’s Office for nine years, currently as deputy recorder, and that experience has given me a deep understanding of the office and its day-to-day responsibilities. I’m not preparing for the job — I’m doing the work every day. Our community depends on consistent, reliable service, and the Recorder’s Office plays a key role in that. I want to ensure a seamless transition with no disruption to the people who count on us, and I’m ready to lead on day one.
McBurney: I’m running for Polk County recorder to deliver faster, more reliable service and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. With over 20 years in public service, I’ve built a career focused on accuracy, accountability, and improving systems. The Recorder’s Office plays a key role in protecting property rights and supporting our local economy, and I’m committed to making it more efficient, accessible, and responsive for every resident.
What is the most important issue facing Polk County and what would you do to address it?
Chiodo: As technology evolves, so do cybersecurity risks and threats like property fraud. Protecting the records that families and businesses depend on is something I take personally. I’m committed to maintaining our strong security practices while working with trusted partners to make thoughtful improvements that stay ahead of emerging threats. Being proactive — anticipating risks before they become problems — is essential. We also remain prepared in vital records to help residents obtain certified documents that meet current state and federal standards.
McBurney: One of the biggest challenges facing Polk County is ensuring residents receive high-quality services while keeping costs manageable. Families are feeling financial pressure, and local government must be both efficient and responsible. As recorder, I will focus on modernizing processes, improving turnaround times, and regularly evaluating systems to ensure we’re delivering reliable service while being smart stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the candidates running for Polk County recorder
Reporting by Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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