Progressives called for sweeping change — from universal health care to local government reform — with two candidates taking center stage Saturday, rallying supporters in Iowa City.
Tiffin Democrat Travis Terrell, who is running for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, and Jon Green, who is seeking reelection in District Two for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, gathered about 50 constituents and community members at The Green House in downtown Iowa City to discuss and raise money for their campaigns.
Both candidates discussed their campaign priorities and progressive policy goals, including support for the working class, universal health care, and broader systemic change.
Terrell is seeking the Democratic nomination in this year’s primary on June 2, running against Iowa City Democrat Christina Bohannan. Green is a current Johnson County supervisor and chair of the board who is also on the ballot in the 2026 Johnson County Board of Supervisors primary following new district changes.
Terrell’s campaign manager Eric Kusiak emceed the event. He said while Terrell and Green are running in two different races — Terrell in a partisan race and Green in a nonpartisan race — they both have the same mission: fighting facism in America.
“Fascism, it might start as a partisan issue, but its effects are nonpartisan,” Kusiak said.
Terrell said his campaign is focused on advocating for the working class through policies like universal health care, immigration reform, LGBTQ+ rights, and redirecting government spending toward domestic needs.
“I can promise you, as your representative, you’re never going to have to guess my values,” he said. “You’re never going to have to guess where I stand, and you’re never going to have to wonder if I still care.”
Green has similar priorities, emphasizing bold local action, expanding affordable housing, and reimagining what county government can do to better serve the community.
“What my time in office has been, what this candidacy is about, is reimagining what is possible,” Green said.
City council members Laura Bergus, Oliver Weilein, and Mazahir Salih all endorsed both candidates and spoke at the fundraiser.
Bergus and Salih said they supported Bohannan in previous races, however, after speaking with Terrell, they align with his policy better and support his fight for immigration, his stance on the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and his support for the middle class.
“He is unwavering in his support of the working class,” Bergus said. “He is unwavering in his support of ending the genocide in Gaza. He is unwavering in his support for the fact that we all need health care, universal health care. This should be a basic platform policy for everyone who represents us today.”
Weilein said he supported Green because local leadership requires courage and a willingness to act despite political risks, especially when addressing community issues and protecting vulnerable groups.
“Thank you, Jon, for always standing up,” he said. “And I definitely trust your judgment and your willingness to put yourself on the line, your safety, your freedom, your political career on the line to do what is right.”
Terrell said the country is at a pivotal and uncertain moment, with a growing movement of progressive candidates pushing for change despite resistance from the political establishment.
“We can change this country in 2026 but it’s not going to be easy,” he said. “We do need help. We do need money, but the thing we need most is every single one of you that helps us build this campaign.”