Democrat Seth Zimmermann joins race for Johnson County Board of Supervisors

Seth Zimmermann, a Democrat from Johnson County, is running for Johnson County Supervisor in the June 7 primary race.

Zimmermann, 48, has lived in the Iowa City area since he was a child growing up in Solon. He graduated from Iowa City High School and later earned a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University.

He's now a year into working as an air quality chemist at Linn County Public Health. In the past he worked at the University of Iowa State Hygienic Lab with a focus on water and air quality.

In an interview with the Press-Citizen, Zimmermann said he has held community service as a value since childhood. He would use an elected role to push for workers' rights in Johnson County and support environmentally-focused initiatives.

"In my family it has always been important to work for the community and not just for yourself. At this point in my life, I feel like its the way I can most effectively give back to my community," Zimmermann said.

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Zimmermann is one of three candidates so far in the Democratic primary vying for two seats on the five-member board. Incumbent Supervisor Jon Green announced he would seek reelection, and V Fixmer-Oraiz joined the race in March. A fourth candidate, Mallory Hellman, dropped out shortly after filing paperwork to run for a seat on the board.

The second seat became open when Supervisor Pat Heiden announced she would not seek reelection. Jammie Bradshaw and Phil Hemingway are the only two Republicans who filed to run.

"Politics is never really something I ever thought I'd end up (in); in being an environmental guy, I thought I'd just be on the ground doing the work," Zimmerman said. "This seat came open and it felt like the time and the place to do it."

The first-time candidate would like to see Johnson County residents and governments reflect on what is being done to reduce the carbon footprint. He pointed to Iowa City's recent addition of electric buses as a great first step.

Zimmermann said clean water is vital. He hopes to help Johnson County take on projects similar to a recent American Rescue Plan Act allocation to replace and improve the septic systems at F.W. Kent Park.

Water quality if difficult to address as a county because it's hard to control what is being dumped into waterways upstream, Zimmerman said. He thinks the county can play a role in cleaning up the Iowa River and others that flow nearby.

"We can't clean up what's above us, but we can clean up what is coming out below us and hopefully if we can start the ball rolling cleaning up our backyard, people will see that and follow suit," Zimmermann said.

He got involved in Iowa Project AWARE as a member of the group's board. The nonprofit organization helps organize river cleanups and improve the water quality of Iowa's rivers and streams.

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Working in Linn County Public Health, the State Hygienic Lab and attending Johnson County Board of Supervisors meetings, Zimmerman said he has seen just how much work has been done by public health workers.

"The public health system is struggling right now. They've been on the front lines for two years straight," he said.

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing down, it is a great time to help assess what worked and didn't work and try to prepare for any future pandemics, Zimmerman said.

Zimmermann said he is excited by the chance to join the Board of Supervisors and thinks it's important for members to maintain cool heads, common sense and respect.

"I'm excited about the job and I'm looking forward to working with them," he said.

Johnson County Supervisors are elected at-large, meaning there are no districts determining where a candidate must reside. More information on the June 7 primary, like how to register to vote or vote early, can be found at the Johnson County Auditor's website.

More: Iowa US Senate candidates visit Johnson County ahead of June 7 primary

George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reporter covering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307, GShillcock@press-citizen.com and on Twitter @ShillcockGeorge

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Fourth Democrat joins race for Johnson County Board of Supervisors