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 and clarity.
Here is what you need to know about the District 4 Johnson County Board of Supervisors candidates:
Lisa Green-Douglass
Age: 67
Hometown: Carson, California
Current Residence: Madison Township, outside of North Liberty
Occupation: Formerly a professor and training consultant, currently a Johnson County Supervisor
Education: B.A., Sam Houston State University, M.A., and Ph.D. University of Iowa
Political Experience: County supervisor since 2016. Member of the Johnson County Democratic Central Committee for 20 years. Worked on several political campaigns.
David Woodruff
Age: 50
Hometown: Gallatin, Missouri
Current Residence: Penn Township
Occupation: Small business owner
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business, Missouri State
Political Experience: I have never before been a candidate for public office.
Why are you running for a seat on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors?
Green-Douglass: I’m running for supervisor to be one of the decision-makers who strengthen the social and economic well-being of Johnson County safely and justly. I want to keep this county a safe, inclusive, and economically vibrant place to live and ensure we manage growth in an environmentally responsible way. I was elected to a four-year term in 2024, receiving the most votes. So far, the people of Johnson County have received only 16 months of those 4 years, so I am also running to fulfill the will of the people.
Woodruff: Johnson County belongs to all of us. I am running for the Board of Supervisors to champion the priorities that matter to your family: clean water, mental health care, and affordable childcare. As a small business owner and community leader — serving on the Agricultural Association, as a climate ambassador, and President of Friends of Historic Preservation — I don’t just talk about progress; I deliver results. I will work to ensure Johnson County remains a great place to work, play, and build a life for every family.
What is the most pressing issue Johnson County is facing, and how will you address it?
Green-Douglass: Growth, which is both a challenge and an opportunity, is the top issue facing Johnson County. I’ll address it by continuing to support board investment in affordable housing, by recruiting businesses that improve our economy by bringing quality jobs that pay a livable wage, creating more affordable childcare options, and by supporting the continued aggressive maintenance schedule of the county’s economic infrastructure of roads and bridges. As we grow, we must ensure we do so economically, in an environmentally sound way, and in a way that makes us resilient to the effects of climate change.
Woodruff: We must ensure our water is safe − both what flows in our streams and from your faucet. This is a problem that’s bigger than Johnson County, so I’ll work to build the regional and state partnerships necessary to make our water safer for everyone.
What are two or three other issues that you hope to address if elected?
Green-Douglass: Two other issues I’ll prioritize are public safety and helping navigation of the mental health care system as the State becomes the primary provider of those services. We need a new sheriff’s office and jail facility. I’ve served on the planning committee to secure a site, plan public educational sessions on the matter, and develop language for these efforts until the project is finished. We need people who serve as both navigators and social workers to help people who are struggling to access mental health care services under the new state system. We are working to ease that transition.
Woodruff: Let’s create childcare solutions parents can afford. For too many, childcare is now a greater expense than a mortgage, creating a generational hurdle for retirement and education savings. I will double down on expanding childcare options without increasing costs for parents. Access to mental healthcare is also important. Right now, the gap between seeking help and receiving it is far too wide. While Johnson County has strong crisis programs, my goal is to evolve our local system from a reactive model into a proactive, integrated one that supports residents for the long haul.
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?
Green-Douglass: Yes. The current facility is in very bad condition. The people who work there work around frequent leaks, a deteriorating structure, and outdated systems. The jail’s capacity doesn’t meet our current needs for incarceration. I support a new Sheriff’s Office and jail. In November, the people of Johnson County will have the opportunity to weigh in on this issue.
Woodruff: For public safety — especially in cases of violent crime—jails remain a necessity. To our credit, while Johnson County’s population has grown, our jail population has decreased. We must continue that trend. Our facility was built in 1981, and the conditions border on inhumane for both the short-term inmates who reside there and the long-term staff who work there. Current technology doesn’t fit the space. I support building a “Justice Center” rather than a “Jail” − prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration. By centralizing courtrooms, attorneys, and mental health and addiction services, we can eliminate long-term inmate transport costs and office rental fees.
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: Meet two Democrats vying for Johnson County District 1 supervisor seat
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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