Before I concentrate volunteer political work on the general election, our county auditor resigned unexpectedly due to illness. I am a delegate to the special convention for Democrats to pick a nominee for the November ballot. Four candidates approached me to say they were running. This post reprints their announcement email where one exists. I want to get this information out there, so I am running it as is without analysis.
First to contact me was Royceann Porter on July 30 via telephone. I know Royceann from promoting her campaign for county supervisor. She said she meets the qualifications, which include a high school diploma. She cited her five years on the county board of supervisors as related experience. I supported her in the special election, and in her re-election. I told her I would give her fair consideration. UPDATE: Porter telephoned me on August 18 to say she was ending her campaign and endorsed Julie Persons.
Next to contact me on July 31 was Julie Persons. I know Julie from working to elect House District 91 candidates. I like her personally and the story about Julie becoming mayor of Swisher speaks to her devotion to public service. Here is the unedited email she sent:
Dear Johnson County Democrats:
My name is Julie Persons. I am the Mayor of Swisher, Public Relations Chair for the JC Dems, and a longtime private sector customer service professional. I am writing to let you know I am running for County Auditor and I would appreciate your vote.
Many of you have gotten to know me over the past few years. I’ve walked alongside you in parades, sent you the weekly JC Dems newsletters, and consistently volunteered. In May of 2023, I was honored to receive the Johnson County Democrats Volunteer of the Year award. My experience with the Johnson County Democrats has been the most rewarding of my life. The friendships, support, laughter, and memories are invaluable to me. When you vote for me, you are voting for a true-blue Democrat who has paid her dues!
I am an Iowa native, originally from Davenport. Like many of you, I came to Johnson County for college and stayed for the past 25 years. I have lived in Iowa City, North Liberty, and the past eleven years as a Swisher resident. Professionally, I have two decades of leadership in customer service, a vital aspect of the Auditor’s Office. Having led several teams, I can seamlessly continue the office’s mission and invigorate the team with renewed energy.
Last year, the city of Swisher faced a vacancy in the mayorship. I assumed the responsibility for my town and accepted the position. Navigating this role (with the support of dedicated staff) has proven to be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career. Public service aligns perfectly with my passions. I am very proud of the things we have accomplished in Swisher under my leadership.
With nearly 160,000 Johnson County residents relying on this office, and the responsibilities include facilitating accessible and efficient voting, including satellite voting; managing the claims for the county; and maintaining the real estate records of the county. My goals include ensuring the department is transparent for the public, and expanding voter accessibility through satellite voting locations and additional social media pushes. Johnson County is a leader in voting in Iowa. We should be proud of how we handle this critical role. I truly believe the more information we can give to the citizens of Johnson County, the more successful we will be.
With your support we can elect the first female County Auditor in 48 years! If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me via email or phone 319-936-1603. Thank you and I hope to see you at the county convention.
Sincerely, Julie Persons
Alex Stanton emailed me on August 1. I don’t know Alex yet he telephoned to introduce himself. Here is the unedited email I received:
Hello, Johnson County Convention Delegate:
As a delegate, you have an important responsibility: Finding the Democratic nominee to replace Auditor Travis Weipert on the General Election ballot. It’s deeply unfortunate that Travis’s health took away a job that he felt so passionately about, and I know how important continuing the great work undertaken by the Auditor’s Office during his tenure is to you, which is why I’m asking you to consider me, Alex Stanton, as the Democratic nominee for Auditor this fall. Let me tell you why.
I’ve had the honor of spending just over the last 6 years working at the Johnson Auditor’s Office under Travis’s leadership, first starting in Minutes & Publications before moving to my current role as Elections Technician III at the end of May 2018. During my time in the office, I have created ballots, overseen voting public equipment testing, helped our office navigate the logistics of voting during the Covid-19 pandemic, trained hundreds of pollworkers, coordinated the successful deployment of all voting equipment needed for elections ranging from 1-precinct Special Elections to 75,000+-voter turnout General Elections, AND served as Administrator for our Community ID program. I have been a steady hand that has carried and grown the proud tradition and sterling reputation of the Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Beyond the basic nuts and bolts of making elections happen, I’ve also worked to build areas in the office that needed improvement, primarily in regards to communicating with our voters. That led me to build our “Johnson County Votes!” iconography, create a noticeable brand identity, and build our social media infrastructure to keep voters and candidates engaged and aware of elections and the work of our office. I’ve been honored to have county staff, the public, and other counties tell me how they appreciate our posts and even ask to steal them to help in their outreach efforts. I even worked with staff and smaller counties to create a Social Media Toolkit that we’ve shared across the state to help counties with less resources easily schedule ready-made posts to help their voters. I’m incredibly proud of my work in this area, but I know there’s even more we can do, including better targeted outreach to underrepresented communities and those exiting incarceration who want their rights restored.
I’ve also been incredibly privileged to earn the respect of Auditors and election offices statewide, and I am humbled they reach out to me to be a source of information. I have been one of the only non-Auditor or Deputy election staff members to be asked to lead training at State Election Administrator Training education courses – which I’ve done multiple times – as well as serving on the Iowa Precinct Atlas Consortium, which crafts the strategic vision for an epollbook system used by over 80 Iowa counties as well as tests any updates for compliance with Iowa law. My hard work, knowledge, and passion for elections and the work of Auditor’s Office has made me a trusted name across the state, and I am running to keep the growth and leadership we’ve seen from Travis going by using what I’ve learned both from him and from the other election leaders I’ve met both in Iowa and across the country. I am so happy to announce that my trust statewide has already earned me the endorsements of Black Hawk County Democratic nominee for Auditor, Karen Showalter, Democrtatic Dubque County Aduitor Kevin Dragotto, and Democratic Clinton County Auditor and 2022 Lieutenant Governor candidate, Eric Van Lancker.
A little about me personally: I’m a lifelong Iowan who has lived in Johnson County for the last 15 years. I’ve been married to my wife, Christina, for 10 years and have 2 kids, ages 6 and 2. I’m a 2021-2022 Graduate of the Greater Iowa City Community Leadership Program, and I’ve served on the City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Committee since August 2023. I interned with the Obama campaign and the Iowa Senate Democratic Research staff, as well as served as a Central Committee member for the Marion and Johnson County Democratic Parties. I have previously worked at United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties and spent almost 4 years at Shelter House. I love this community, and it has given so much to myself and my family. I’m ready to give back, and I hope you’ll join and vote for me at the Convention on August 24th.
If you want to learn more about me, you can visit my campaign Facebook at Facebook.com/stantonforcountyauditor, give me a call or text at (641)218-4594, or email me at stantonforcountyauditor@gmail.com.
Thank you for your consideration,
Alex Stanton
Finally, Shannon Patrick emailed me on August 5. State Representative Elinor Levin telephoned on August 7 to endorse Shannon for county auditor. Elinor and I see each other often at party events and I like her personally and as a legislator. I haven’t met Patrick. Here is his unedited email.
Dear Paul,
I am writing to introduce myself to you, to ask you to attend the Johnson County special nominating convention on Saturday, August 24th at 9:00 a.m. at Liberty High, and to support my nomination there.
I am Shannon Patrick, and I am seeking the Democratic nomination for Johnson County auditor. I am doing so because I have a long-time dedication to preserving and expanding voting rights, and my combination of professional and community experience are uniquely suited for this office.
You may recognize my name from my prior work with the JC Democrats, from candidate forums and other League of Women Voters events, or from the monthly Press-Citizen column that I write with my amazing wife, Kelcey Patrick-Ferree. Professionally, I work in IT management and currently oversee the team that is responsible for updating, maintaining, and correctly using the University of Iowa’s donor and alumni database.
Before I say more about me, these are what my priorities would be as auditor.
- Keep making voting easier and more secure. Continuing drive-through-voting. Improve the quality of our voter data so that voters know where to go and have fewer issues at the polls. Develop a communications strategy. Make voting easier outside of Iowa City.
- Prepare the office for 21st century threats. Hacking, ransomware, foreign interference, and disinformation campaigns pose real risks to our elections, and the auditor will be responsible for making sure that we have plans for them.
- Work with local organizations to improve voter turnout. Recent state laws mean that the auditor’s office needs a different approach to promoting voting. The auditor needs to rely more on local partners. Unless our state government changes, Johnson County will be under a microscope, and we need to do this right.
- Staffing and operations. Make sure that interacting with the auditor’s office keeps getting easier. Keep up with technology so that staff grow and do more meaningful work each year. Ensure that taxpayer money is spent as effectively as possible. Make the Auditor’s Office a place where staff want to stay and do their best work.
Why do I think I can do all that?
First, I have worked in data and data management for 20 years. I am experienced at managing multiple teams, growing and developing staff, and leading efforts to continually improve teams and processes. I would bring a unique combination of knowledge, tools, and best practices to the auditor’s office.
But I know that this isn’t just a technical role. A truly successful auditor also needs strong community partnerships. I have served on platform committee, chaired the lively IC10 precinct caucus of 2020, and volunteered with the Eastside Dems. I have served as the treasurer of the state League of Women Voters and as the Advocacy Chair of the Johnson County League board. I also have ties to groups like the Interfaith Alliance, the South District Neighborhood Association, and other local nonprofits and activist groups. I’m known in the community and am prepared to continue my voting rights work as auditor.
What’s more, in my advocacy work for the League, I had a special focus on voting, elections, and good governance. For example, I helped lead a group that worked with partner organizations throughout Iowa to generate, obtain signatures for, and present a statewide petition opposing Iowa’s 2021 anti-voter law. I spoke in the Rotunda at the Capitol and presented the petition to the legislative leaders’ offices. My role with the League has involved following, lobbying about, understanding, and communicating changes in election laws to voters throughout Iowa.
In short, I have the combination of experience and outreach that will continue and expand the successes of the auditor’s office.
Will you support my nomination?
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reply to this email or to contact me at (319) 382-6568. I look forward to seeing you at the special convention.
Sincerely, Shannon Patrick
I do plan to attend the special convention. I may (or may not) post my analysis of this race. Comments welcome.
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