Johnson County Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz held a reelection launch party on Jan. 31 at The Green House in Iowa City, following a state-mandated redistricting that requires some supervisors to run against each other for reelection.
Fixmer-Oraiz, who was elected in 2022, is the first transgender, queer, and biracial elected official at the county level in Iowa. Fixmer-Oraiz is seeking another two years on the board and is running for the newly created District 4 seat. Fixmer-Oraiz will be running against fellow Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan, making the district the only race with two incumbents running.
The districts were created in 2025 due to a new law that requires the three counties that host regent universities to change the way they elect supervisors, electing by district instead of at-large.
Fixmer-Oraiz addressed the new districts in their speech at the reelection event, and said that being redistricted was a “different game,” but said they would carry on working for the county and the community.
“The question we must ask ourselves and one another in this moment is who will we be in the years to come?” Fixmer-Oraiz said. “And what do we expect of our leaders in this precarious moment for our democracy?”
Fixmer-Oraiz said their reelection campaign would be completely different this time around, not just because of the new districts, but also because of the Trump administration.
“Making sure that we’re together, that people don’t feel isolated and afraid and scared,” they said. “We make sure that we’re reaching as many folks as possible, creating those networks of security and safety. Because we know that it’s really us that is going to keep us safer.”
Fixmer-Oraiz also spoke about the importance of this election and upcoming elections, and said that they believed their energy as an elected official would be best spent working to protect democracy and the community.
“We are not talking Johnson County politics of the past. We’re talking Johnson County politics in 2026,” Fixmer-Oraiz said. “That is why I decided to operationalize my values, centering my campaign on organizing.”
Supporters of Fixmer-Oraiz were in attendance at the event, including fellow Johnson County Supervisor Mandi Remington, who spoke in support of Fixmer-Oraiz and their campaign.
“Local leadership matters more than ever when higher levels of government are actively causing harm,” Remington said. “V understands that local government isn’t about telling everybody what we can and can’t do. It’s about using the power that we do have to protect people from harm and to build something better.”
When the districts were announced, Remington was living in District 2 and would be running against fellow Supervisor and Chair Jon Green. Remington instead decided to move to District 5, where she is currently unopposed.
Donna Brooks, who worked for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors for five years as a grant writer, was also in attendance at the event to support Fixmer-Oraiz’s campaign and praised their work at the county and statewide level.
“I’m just repeatedly impressed and grateful for the integrity with which they represent themselves in the residents of Johnson County,” Brooks said.
Brooks also said she was impressed by Fixmer-Oraiz’s experience and that they possess a master’s degree in Planning and Public Policy and Administration. Brooks said it was rare to find a candidate who had that kind of knowledge and experience, and gave Fixmer-Oraiz their support.
“I think now more than ever, it’s more important to band together as a community or as a county,” Brooks said. “I think V does that better than any candidate.”