Des Moines County supervisor Tom Broeker challenged by Democrat Sandy Dockendorff for seat

Michaele Niehaus, The Hawk Eye
·3 min read

The November election may alter the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors' tri-partisan makeup.

Candidates had to file paperwork by Wednesday in order to be on the November ballot. In Des Moines County's only contested 2022 race, Sandy Dockendorff, a Democrat from Danville, is challenging Burlington Republican Tom Broeker for the seat he hopes to keep for a fourth consecutive term.

Supervisors Jim Cary (D-Danville) and Shane McCampbell (I-Burlington) are not up for re-election this year.

Broeker and Dockendorff are no strangers to local politics. Both have backgrounds leading their respective parties at the local level, with Broeker having served as chairman of the Des Moines County Republican Party and Dockendorff having served as chairwoman of the Des Moines County Democrats.

More: Burlington requests $200K from Des Moines County's ARPA funds for inclusive playground

Dockendorff served on school board, active in other areas

Dockendorff served on the Danville School Board for 12 years before she was unseated in 2021 after securing 20.9% of the votes in that race, when four candidates were vying for two seats.

She ran for state office in 2020 but lost her bid to represent House District 88 to Republican incumbent Dave Kerr.

"I have some skills and experience that would be helpful in solving some long-term problems in Des Moines County," Dockendorff told The Hawk Eye. "I have always been a problem solver and have a different perspective than others currently serving on the Board. My service to the community has given me many opportunities to hear from residents their frustrations and concerns, but also some of their ideas and hopes."

Dockendorff holds degrees in nursing and psychology. She has worked as a grant writer, program developer, community services coordinator in Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa counties; a nurse case manager for John Deere Health Care; a staff nurse for George Washington University Medical Center and Burlington Hospital; and a budget analyst for the U.S. Navy. She also co-owns Dockendorff Business Services, which provides computer and financial services to other businesses.

Other experience includes membership on the Legislative Research Committee for the Iowa Association of School Boards, Rural Schools Advocates of Iowa, Quality Improvement Committee for Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa, and the Government Relations Committee for the Greater Burlington Partnership.

More: Burlington requests $200K from Des Moines County's ARPA funds for inclusive playground

Broeker keeps watchful eye on county budget

Broeker's background includes the operation of Broeker Erection Co. for more than 20 years and 15 years as a unionized iron worker.

Since being elected to the board of supervisors in 2010, Broeker has taken an interest in mental health. In his first term, he was appointed by then-Gov. Terry Branstad to the Department of Human Services' Mental Health and Disabilities Service Commission. He remained on that board for the full two terms permitted for that commission.

He also serves on the Southeast Iowa Link Governing Board, the county's Case Management Advisory Board for clients with mental illness or disabilities, the Des Moines County Safety Committee, the Des Moines County Emergency Management Commission, the Disaster Recovery Organization, the Flood Plain Advisory Board and is the county representative to Grow Greater Burlington.

Broeker is known for taking a pragmatic approach to the county's budget, erring on the side of caution in an effort to keep property taxes down and county finances in good standing.

"My focus is Des Moines County," Broeker said. "Our board of supervisors work very well together. We focus on creating a safe, secure community, quality services and in recent years we've been able to reduce the property tax levy rate by 22%."

Broeker said he believes inflation will continue to be an issue.

"Inflation affects everything," BroekersNot only what it costs the county, but tax payers are facing inflation. Their costs are going to go up. The costs of the input for county services, gravel, gas, all those things go up, so it will hit the county both ways."

Michaele Niehaus covers business, development, environment and agriculture for The Hawk Eye. She can be reached at mniehaus@thehawkeye.com.

This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Des Moines County supervisor Broeker challenged by Dockendorff