I looked around the Democratic Convention Wednesday night, May 12, and saw almost 300 people. Those 300 people took great care in choosing between four very different but very qualified candidates. And I thought to myself, “People care about this. They want their voice to be heard.” I could not imagine three people going to that group and saying, “Here, we picked someone for you.”

So, whenever someone says the County should have just appointed someone to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors for two years and saved the $20,000 election expense, I don’t think that reflects the will of the people. The people clearly want to vote on who is going to represent them.

Democrats have a nominee for County Supervisor. Now it is time to get to work and get them elected! Election day is June 8, so the election is basically happening now!

Make no mistake — Republican candidate Phil Hemingway is a strong candidate! He has served in elected office. He is well-known. Many Democrats like him. It will take a full-fledged campaign to keep this seat in Democratic hands!

Please spread the word and encourage your friends to vote early! We need your help, and we need it now!

There have only been two elections since 1960 where a Democrat did not win, and both were Special Elections. Interestingly, Sally Stutsman was involved on both ends.

On April 12, 1994, Don Sehr lost the vote at the Democratic Convention to Pat Gilroy, then ran as an Independent and defeated Democratic nominee Gilroy in the Special Election. (The GOP wisely did not field a candidate.) Sehr filled the unexpired term of Betty Ockenfels until 1996, when he was defeated by Sally Stutsman in the Democratic Primary.

On March 5, 2013, Republican John Etheridge defeated Democrat Terry Dahms by 193 votes in a Special Election that saw several inches of snow the night before, and all the county schools closed. Etheridge then filled the unexpired term of Sally Stutsman until the 2014 General Election, where he was defeated by Mike Carberry.

The June 8 election is set. And I think it is not only fair but important for Johnson County voters to ask the GOP candidate some very serious questions. Here are ten questions that I believe will tell you a lot:

1. Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential election?

2. On January 6, 2021, an insurrection took place at the US Capitol. What are your thoughts on the events of that day? Should former President Trump be held accountable for inciting this insurrection?

3. For the first time since 1856, the GOP did not craft a platform. Instead, they adopted this statement: “The Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the President’s America-first agenda.” Does this statement reflect your views?

4. Do you support legal protections for trans individuals?

5. Do you believe it is a good idea to be vaccinated in general, and against COVID specifically?

6. Do you believe rich people should pay more in taxes?

7. What is the appropriate minimum wage in your opinion?

8. Does racism exist here in Johnson County?

9. Should it be harder or easier to vote?

10. Have you ever disagreed with your Party? On what issue? Were you public about it?

This is it. These questions should tell you most of what you need to know. I sincerely hope the League of Women Voters and every other organization that gets an opportunity to question Republican candidates will ask these questions. Voters, I hope you will do the same!

Rod Sullivan of Iowa City was elected to Johnson County Supervisor in 2004.