ADVOCACY
leadership
community
reminder: democratic primary | june 2, 2026
Strengthening our community through authentic connection, genuine care, and bold action.
I am uniquely qualified to meet this moment. I have a professional background as a planner and trained mediator. I know how to de-escalate tense situations and believe in policy-making informed by those of us who have had to survive harmful systems to create a better future for all.
My identities as a trans/queer/Person of Color and child of an immigrant shape my approach to leading. With unrelenting attacks from the top down onto my communities, I have led Johnson County with courage, compassion, and creativity- making a way out of no way. It is exactly the kind of leadership we need in these times, and I am ready to lead into a second term.
My Plan For Progress
When my children ask me, "What did you do to improve our community?"
I can look them in the eyes and say, "Everything I possibly could."
Here are a few areas where I am committed to continuing the work into my second term:
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Continuing to stand up for our immigrant, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, low-wealth, and underestimated communities.
This is not only about continually speaking out and showing up at rallies and walkouts, but also about looking for creative, responsive ways to serve our communities.-
What does this look like?
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Regularly meeting with our immigrant-led organizations to build trust and learn about more dynamic and responsive ways we can respond.
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Funding our social services to the fullest extent possible to bridge state and federal funding gaps that are increasingly unstable.
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Leveraging and creating committees that include community members and non-profit organizations to inform the county's actions and priorities.
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Artificial Intelligence and data centers are one of the most pressing issues of our time.
We need to understand how our county will be involved in this issue, whether that's moral obligations, environmental impacts, or economic implications.-
What does this look like?
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I propose we conduct a countywide listening tour to share what we have learned thus far and hear from residents about their concerns and ideas.
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Our county has already instituted a moratorium on data centers while we conduct our research (in fact, ours was so good that Denver copied it!).
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We have also invested in an aquifer study with the U.S. Geological Survey to better understand the water resources in our region.
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Work to establish a multi-million dollar affordable housing bond.
Under Iowa Code 331.441 (2) b (10), the county can bond for essential purposes, and housing is an essential purpose noted in this section of the code. My goal is to address some of the predatory practices used by out-of-state owners of manufactured housing parks to extract higher rents from our residents, who often have nowhere else to go.-
What does this look like?
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Exploring land acquisition that is geared towards affordable housing best practices, such as:
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Land located near a municipality to utilize water/sewer infrastructure
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Land near public transportation service lines
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Land near grocery stores and schools
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Base housing model on current manufactured housing zoning ordinances and relevant examples that prioritize safety, connectivity, and a neighborhood feel
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Utilize a rent-to-own legal/financial structure
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Create loan programs that remove barriers to first-time home ownership.
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Create county budgets that are resilient in the face of the state legislature's continued efforts to decrease our General Fund.
As the state looks to pass a property tax reform and is thirsty to impact income taxes, we need to make sure that the county retains our most valued asset- our people. This means there will be difficult but necessary decisions.-
What does this look like?
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I think it is time for the county to consider moving towards a County Manager system of governance. This position would manage the county's administrative functions and streamline many of our operations. We are responsible for overseeing the budgets of 16 departments, and I spend much of my time helping our HR department manage department directors or department directors managing staff. While I find this work very rewarding because our staff is vital to the work done in Johnson County, it often means I am not able to attend to the political and policy aspects of this role.
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To pencil this out and maintain a responsible budget, County Supervisors would need to take a 15-20% pay reduction to account for a new position and potentially provide us with a part-time policy analyst position to keep up with the policy tasks we would undertake in earnest.
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Currently, only 2 counties in Iowa have this type of governance structure: Scott County and Polk County.
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I am currently on the county's Budget Assistance in Preparation Committee, and we are tasked with developing recommendations to review our financial policies, increase efficiency, and discuss current salary ranges.
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Endorsements
What is an endorsement? To me, it is a mirror.
Here are the people I admire and respect, and who believe I am worthy of serving the public as an elected official.
Maraming Salamat
"Many Thanks" in Tagalog
Scroll down to see more Endorsements below!
Hi, folks! Here are my thoughts on the District 4 Supervisor's race in Johnson County. We are lucky to have two good candidates running in this race, and it's unfortunate that our state legislature has decided to reconfigure supervisor elections in some left-leaning counties, pitting incumbents against each other. Ugh — but here we are. When considering two experienced candidates with strong track records, how to choose? After careful consideration, I've decided to cast my vote for V Fixmer-Oraiz. My choice has a lot to do with V's depth of knowledge around issues I care about, their approach to problem solving, and their interpersonal skills. I was originally drawn to vote for V back in 2022 based on their background in urban and regional planning with an emphasis on equity, environmental sustainability, and resilience. V has a decade’s worth of experience in the environmental sector, including as a watershed planner. (Water quality, anyone?) Since V took office, I’ve been impressed with their commitment to social justice, boldly and consistently showing up and standing up. V’s background in strategic planning leads them to seek input from all stakeholders while looking ahead to the challenges our county faces. They seek creative ideas and solutions when others might see only a wall of bureaucracy. Any time I have communicated with V about county issues, I’ve been met with thoughtfulness, care, and calm professionalism. V believes that public officials should be held accountable and, as a trained mediator, wants to work toward healing in our community, rather than more division. Our county needs more affordable housing, clean water, human rights protections, and economic policies that help us all thrive. I believe V Fixmer-Oraiz has the deep knowledge and skills to make these changes happen. V's leadership can help us build the resilience our county needs to face the coming challenges, and I would hate to lose them on the Board of Supervisors at this pivotal time. A vote for V feels, to me, like a strong vote for the future. You can read more about V at www.vfo4joco.com. Whoever you intend to vote for, mark your calendar: **THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS JUNE 2.** For more info about JoCo early voting, voting requirements, locations, etc., visit johnsoncountyiowa.gov/june-2-2026-primary-election. Happy voting! —Karen Nichols
I strongly encourage those in my district to vote for V in the upcoming primary. I know firsthand that V is someone who puts ego aside to meet the hard times we face in this state and country. Iowa City needs to collaborate with Johnson County to deliver for our residents, to protect our most vulnerable. V has the strength, dedication, courage, as well as the kindness, patience, and solidarity to do that.
In District 4, we must choose between a tenured progressive incumbent, Rod Sullivan, and a new generation of progressive leadership, V Fixmer-Oraiz. When faced with this kind of choice, when core values are aligned, both have experience, I will choose to go with contemporary leadership. This is especially true when that leadership directly represents communities that are typically shut out of power and governance. My choice in District 4 is V Fixmer-Oraiz. We can thank Rod for his service, for his voice, and for his activism. We can facilitate continued leadership from V with our vote, offering them the opportunity to have such tenure. Vote V!
FULL ENDORSEMENT COMING SOON!
V Fixmer-Oraiz stands out by focusing on substance rather than style. As an AICP-certified urban planner, V brings real skills to the table. Their work on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors shows that inclusive leadership helps build strong, resilient communities. V knows something important that many before them missed: fighting for the rights of the most marginalized, like our trans neighbors and others often excluded, makes society stronger for everyone. This idea is called the “curb-cut effect.” Curb cuts in sidewalks were originally designed for wheelchair users, but they also benefit parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, and delivery workers. This shows that making things accessible benefits everyone. In the same way, making our systems work for those with the greatest needs improves life for all of us. For many of us in a state that feels less welcoming, where new laws threaten the visibility of Black, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant communities, V is more than just a politician. They offer real support and solutions. When the status quo has not kept us safe, V stands for the belief that we deserve more than just survival—we deserve to feel like we belong. Maya Angelou once said, “No one of us can be free until everybody is free.” V lives by this idea, putting it into action through real policies. They have pushed for inclusive infrastructure, affordable housing, and fair policy reviews. V combines professional know-how with thoughtful leadership. If you want a leader who can move us forward and doesn’t live in the past, vote for V Fixmer-Oraiz. Quanda Hood
FULL ENDORSEMENT COMING SOON!
People-power has its biggest impact in its local communities. That's why I'm asking you to support V Fixmer-Oraiz for the newly redistricted county board seat in Johnson County, Iowa. V and I go way back. We met in planning school at The University of Iowa in 2013 and became instant friends. V was a big supporter of the worker center. V's wife, Natalie, became a great friend and supporter of many causes I championed, including work we did to get the first-ever Transcare Program off the ground in the Cedar Rapids Planned Parenthood. V and Natalie have stood up for workers of all backgrounds, communities targeted by the right-wing, and have been invaluable community members in Johnson County. V was first elected to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in 2022. Now due to districting forced by the state, V is in a hotly contested primary with long-time Supervisor Rod Sullivan. I know Rod, too. Rod was a Board member back when I ran the worker center. He was an ally to our work, no doubt. But here's why I'm supporting V. V has been an organizer all their life. V has consistently stood up for others and with others, when no one was looking or paying attention. V is a person of deep integrity, a hard-worker, and tough as nails. They know how to get things done as an elected official, while also working tirelessly to uphold progressive values. More than anything, V isn't part of the "establishment." V, like me, is an outsider. They do the politics that represent the people - not a specific party or agenda. Right now, as Iowa is in the precipice of big electoral change, Johnson County can lead the State in fighting back against Trumpism and fight for something better - an Iowa that is welcoming to all, has opportunities for all, and won't take NO for an answer. V will do that, I have no doubt. V is a proven leader who cares about all of us. Just this month as the country was in awe watching how Minnesotans stood up effectively to Trump's domestic army that we call ICE, V introduced and passed a resolution that demanded congress immediately defund ICE and completely restructure the Department of Homeland Security. They did this in solidarity with local electeds across the country–and, proudly, Johnson County was second in the nation to pass this resolution. They created the Johnson County Trans Advisory Committee to strengthen human rights protections on a local level; they have worked closely with manufactured housing residents to improve living conditions; they have initiated creative funding pathways to ensure residents have access to lifesaving health care and services. They are also a certified urban and regional planner who has won statewide awards for their visionary work. And so much more. I may have moved from Iowa a few years ago, but my heart is still there, along with most of my friends and my family. I called Johnson County home for 15 years. This race is important to the future of the State and so many of my dear friends who live there. I'm asking you to donate to V today if you can - even $10 will go a long way in a local race - and if you're in the area, please consider volunteering, placing a yard sign, and voting for V.
I’ll admit I’ve grown disillusioned with politics. Too often, it feels like ego, posturing, and point-scoring matter more than actually serving the community. That’s why supporting V Fixmer-Oraiz for Johnson County Supervisor feels different. V leads with something that seems rare in public service these days: genuine care for people. They listen (truly!) to residents, especially those whose voices are often overlooked. Time and again, they’ve shown that they’re willing to stand up for our most vulnerable neighbors, even when it‘s not the easy thing to do. They’re not in this for recognition or political ambition. V is focused on making our community work better for everyone. They consider different perspectives, work to build consensus, and find solutions. And when something conflicts with their values, they’re not afraid to take a principled stand. V also understands that healthy communities depend on strong local leadership, and they’re willing to push back when the state or federal government overreaches into local decision-making. In a time when many of us feel worn down by politics, V reminds me that good people still step up to serve. That’s the kind of leadership Johnson County needs. District 4 residents, I hope you’ll join me in voting for V on June 2.
When I moved back to Iowa to start my independent organic farm, V and their family were among the first people to support our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) business. V also volunteered on the farm weekly, and I have come to know them well. V's dedication to the community is undeniable. Whether it's picking beans for exhausted farmer friends or their work as Supervisor to create and uphold policies of inclusive economic development, affordable housing, and sustainable land use, we need leaders like V in office now more than ever. I am proud to endorse V Fixmer-Oraiz for their second term as Johnson County Supervisor.
FULL ENDORSEMENT COMING SOON!