Karen Nichols

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