Washington County Board of Supervisors, District 2 (1 seat)
Voters will select one candidate for the Republican primary; there are no candidates for the Democratic primary. In other districts, incumbent candidates run unopposed.

Bob Yoder (incumbent)

City of residence:

Kalona

Family:

For four decades my wife, Deb and I have called Kalona our home, where we raised our two daughters, Megan and Stephanie. Megan currently lives in Kalona and Stephanie and her husband Tyler Weers (and our three grandchildren) live in St. Paul, MN. During this time, I have come to understand that the people are the fabric of Washington County and what makes it so exceptional. Not only is it a great environment to live and raise a family, but it also offers people opportunity and community, and I am proud to call it home.

Past offices held:

Over the past 11 years, I've had the privilege of serving on the Washington County Board of Supervisors, currently holding the position of Vice Chair. Additionally, I serve as Board Chair for both the East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund (ECIHTF) and the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB). I am actively involved in various organizations dedicated to the betterment of our community, including the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP), Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG), and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. I am also a member of the Republican Party.

Apart from these responsibilities, I also serve as the church moderator at First Baptist Church in Wellman, where I have previously held positions as a deacon and trustee. It has been a privilege to represent the residents of Washington County, and I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of our local community through these various roles.

Current employment:

Currently, I hold the position of Washington County Supervisor representing District 2 (which includes residents in Kalona, Richmond, and surrounding areas), an elected role I've served in for over 11 years. In July, I will have owned and operated a small business, Kalona Blacksmith & Welding, for 40 years.

Beyond this, I also enjoy sharing my expertise by occasionally stepping into the classroom as a substitute teacher for Kirkwood Community College: Washington County Regional Center’s welding program. Whether as a public servant, business owner, or educator, I remain personally invested in the future success of our county.

Major accomplishments:

Throughout my time on the Board of Supervisors, we have successfully eliminated county zoning, navigated away from two ill-suited sewer projects, and acquired the county ambulance service, while prioritizing the best interests of our residents in Washington County.

Currently, we are actively working to address the space constraints faced by our court system by providing more space for them in the courthouse and relocating certain county offices to Orchard Hill.

Under the leadership of our current board, we have instilled a sense of stability that has not only attracted new residents but also encourages them to invest in our county. This reflects our dedication to advancing the prosperity and enhancing the quality of life in Washington County.

Why are you running for Supervisor?

I'm excited to announce I am running for re-election for supervisor, driven by my years of dedicated service on the Board of Supervisors and my extensive experience as a small business owner. This unique combination positions me as the ideal candidate to represent the various interests of District 2. Throughout my tenure, I have stood as a constant advocate, ensuring that every resident, business, and farmer in our district has a voice that is heard and respected.

My mission revolves around fostering economic growth and I'm deeply passionate about empowering businesses to thrive and flourish, while also seeking out opportunities to bring new vitality to our county. With these initiatives, we can create a thriving economic landscape that is a brighter and more prosperous future for us all.

What are the challenges facing Washington County?

While our county does face its share of challenges, I will work to overcome them. Over the past three years, inflation has posed a significant obstacle, making it increasingly difficult to allocate sufficient funds to uphold the standard of services that our residents rightfully expect and deserve.

From the maintenance of county roads to the provision of essential emergency services and support for law enforcement, the array of services we provide is extensive and vital. As costs escalate, it becomes imperative that we exercise diligence and creativity in managing our resources to ensure that these services remain of the highest caliber despite financial constraints.

With determination and strategic planning, I am confident that we can navigate these challenges and continue to deliver exceptional services to all Washington County residents.

What are your goals as Supervisor, if elected?

If entrusted with your vote, my primary objective, is to enhance the well-being of every individual in Washington County. I am firm in my commitment to listening attentively to the concerns of our constituents, championing for individual freedoms, and maintaining fiscal responsibility at every turn. Additionally, I promise to represent the diverse interests of both District 2 residents (and all others) across our county to the best of my abilities. Serving you thus far has been both an honor and a privilege, and I sincerely hope for the opportunity to continue this service into the future.



Jacob Snider

City of residence:

Riverside is our physical address, but we live roughly three miles south of Richmond which is not really “Riverside” in my mind.

Family:

I have five kids. Will (15), Alena (13), Avery (13), Archer (13) and Reese (11). My partner in life is Lindsey. We bought our little acreage in August in 2018.

Past offices held:

I was elected to the Mid-Prairie school board in 2021 and I was elected as school board president in November of 2023 by my fellow board members.

Current employment:

I own several small businesses in our area.

Major accomplishments:

Being a dad. Full stop. I have been so incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to be part of the lives of these five wonderful kids! I have done some amazing things and overcome a lot of adversity to be as successful as I am but nothing I do will ever eclipse the opportunity to be a father.

Why are you running for Supervisor?

I'm running for supervisor because I feel that District 2 and Washington County need some fresh representation. It's funny, when I approached Bob a few months ago, out of respect, to let him know my intentions to run, he said “You're too young. This is a position you do when you are getting ready to retire.” That's kinda my reason. That mentality is what I'm pushing back against. This idea that those that guide our goverment, regardless of level, have to be riding into the sunset is only going to continue to generate the types of decisions, policies, and ideas that we've seen recycled over and over for years.

Another point that I think is valid to mention is if you know where an elected official sits on a topic or you know they share a similar view as you, but they haven't brought forth any potential policy or modifications to solidify their stance legally, I think you should be asking, why not? Isn't that the exact reason we elect people that we share a similar mentality with? So they will go and take our shared will and use it in governance and policy. So, if they aren't doing that, what have they been doing? Don't get me wrong, Bob's a great guy, but is that enough for our district? I know a lot of great people that live in District 2. The thing is, there has to be the willingness to lead as well. I fully believe we want more, and that's why so many encouraged me to run in this election.

What are the challenges facing Washington County?

I don't think the challenges facing Washington County are much different than those facing our nation. In such a strongly conservative community the ripple being felt throughout the Republican party and how that affects decisions made at the local level is a big one. In a meeting a few months ago, Bob mentioned the Republican party being fractured, in his opinion. I'm not sure I agree with that. I feel there are an awful lot of Americans who have been left feeling severely disenfranchised in the last four years. Fractured would insinuate a split or divide, and honestly I think we are trying to head the party in a more earnest direction. The reality is, time and time again the traditional Republicans who claim to be Christian conservatives when it is convenient keep leaving us true Christian conservatives standing alone at the altar when the going gets tough. Getting reelected has become more important than standing up for what you believe in and were elected to do. I promise I'll never ride the fence on a topic. It's very easy to do one’s research and to take a position.

What are your goals as Supervisor, if elected?

I don’t have any true “goals” per se as much as different ideas, different points of view, different experiences to glean from than many of the past Supervisors have had in recent memory. Those differences will really allow me to bring some fresh perspectives to the ways we do things at the county. I think it's important for people to know that although I don't come seeking your vote with a personal agenda, which I would find a little unnerving, I do have some tenants I hold pretty closely. I'm a staunch supporter of fiscal responsibility. I'm a 110% supporter of the Constitution of the United States of America, in both how it is written and the intent and mindsets behind it. Lastly, I'm a firm believer in limited government. We, as American citizens, know far better what's best for our kids, what's best for our families, what's best for our communities, and what's best for us, far more so than any elected official.