SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 24, 2026
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/28/26
In this edition:
*RIP Terri Stone
*Holy Days
*Great Society
*Vote for Sullivan!
*Endorsements Part 1!
*Endorsements Part 2!
*Negative Campaigning
*US Senate Race
*Biking Award
*Did You Know?
*RIP Terri Stone
Only one or two people on this list know Dr. Stone, but she rates a mention just the same. Terri was a longtime friend of my wife Melissa, dating all the way back to their Catholic School days. Terri was one of only a few African American kids at Dowling, but was liked and respected by everyone who knew her. She and Melissa went on to the U of I, and Terri ended up getting her MD from Georgetown in 1993. She practiced medicine in Washington DC from that day forward.
Terri was smart, kind, caring, gentle, and always put others before herself. I was honored to know her. RIP, Terri.
*Holy Days
Eid al-Adha in 2026 is expected to begin on Wednesday, May 27, and end on the evening of Saturday, May 30, subject to the traditional crescent moon sighting. This sacred Festival of Sacrifice falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.
*Great Society
Almost exactly 62 years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson gave his “Great Society” speech.
What did that mean? Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, the Voting Rights Act, Community Action Programs (like HACAP), the Jobs Corp, VISTA, PBS, NPR, and an end to discrimination in immigration.
This was the second-biggest domestic policy investment in American history. And it has been life changing for hundreds of millions of people.
And now, 62 years later, every one of these programs is hanging by a thread. This is what you are voting for!
*Vote for Sullivan!
Like most people growing up in rural Iowa, I was raised to be humble. “Don’t toot your own horn,” was the phrase. But as an adult, I chose a profession that requires you to “toot your own horn” every few years if you want to keep your job. So if you will please indulge me, I want to use a few words to explain why I believe I deserve your support in the upcoming Supervisor Primary.
The following comes straight from my website: https://www.rodsullivansupervisor.com/
Rod Sullivan's accomplishments put Johnson County's people and their wellbeing at the center of his work. During his time in office, Rod has facilitated discussions, advocated and led changes that have improved the lives of tens of thousands of Johnson County residents. Those efforts include:
· Raising the minimum wage
· Increasing funding for affordable housing
· Creating the GuideLink Center
· Passing two Conservation Bond Initiatives
· Passing the Human Rights Ordinance
· Creating the Free Tax Help Project
· Instituting the Buy Here Initiative
· Adding rural warning sirens
· Creating the Livable Community for Successful Aging Policy Board
· Creating the Local Foods Policy Council
· Adopting the Community ID
· Leading the transition to regional mental health care
From the very beginning, Rod has put the people and their community at the forefront.
· He provided steady leadership during the 2008 floods and over a decade later did the same during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
· He saved the Sutliff Bridge, preserved the Historic Poor Farm, and initiated the renaming of Johnson County after Lulu Merle Johnson.
· Rod started the 1105 Project with the gift of the old Public Health Building.
But it isn't just the people of Johnson County he fights for; it is also the land they live on. In his time, he advocated and passed the Sensitive Area Ordinance, Stormwater Ordinance, Wind and Solar Ordinance, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.
I’m proud of the work I have done. Moving forward, I plan to continue to focus on mental health, affordable housing, climate change, and more. I think we can accomplish more great things. That is why I would ask for your vote during the 2026 Democratic Primary.
*Endorsements Part 1!
I am incredibly honored to receive the endorsements of the Iowa City Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO), Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Building Trades, Carpenter’s Local 1260, Teamsters Local 238, IBEW Local 405, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 125, and Laborer's Local 43!
In addition, I have been endorsed by the Presidents of AFSCME, AFGE, American Federation of Musicians, and Sheet Metal Workers.
Nothing makes me prouder than the fact that the working people of our county know I have their backs! Thank you, organized labor!
*Endorsements Part 2!
I am also proud to announce that I have been named by Moms Demand Action as a Gun Sense candidate! I really appreciate this, as I believe Moms Demand Action has done important work both nationally and locally. I have received this recognition every election since Moms Demand Action came into being.
*Negative Campaigning
I have been asked several times about all the negative campaigning in the Supervisor primary. It is true, in all my years of observing local politics, I have never seen anything like it. Obviously, I am not enjoying the daily rounds of character assassinations.
I know several folks who have said, “I thought about saying something, but I do not want to be bullied online.” I totally understand that fear. It is real. You should protect yourself.
So what can you do? Proactively tell friends and family who you support and why. Stay away from the negativity. But spread a positive message.
This is almost over. Hang in there!
*US Senate Race
I have been frustrated with the discussions I hear and see regarding the two Democratic candidates for the US Senate, Zach Wahls and Josh Turek. (In the interest of full disclosure, I support Wahls. More on that in a moment.)
The stuff that angers me falls into a couple of different categories. First, what I like to call the “Punditry Problem.” It seems many Democrats in Iowa have decided their job is determine the “electability” of a given candidate. We see this type of discussion on CNN or MSNBC and we think this is somehow our job.
Playing Pundit is not our job. And even if it were, experience shows we are not good at playing that role. Primary elections are held to allow the voters to choose a candidate who they believe will take things in the direction they want. So – what have the candidates accomplished? Where do they stand on the important issues of the day? Have they demonstrated an ability to work with others? What ideas do they have?
Pundits do not like to discuss this stuff, even though it is the most important thing. Pundits simply want to talk electability. And that discussion takes away from the things voters really care about.
I have heard Wahls cannot be elected because he is from Johnson County. I have heard the “focus on gay stuff” will hurt him. I have heard that Turek cannot be elected because he has never represented any rural areas. All of these can become self-fulfilling prophecies if we let them. But what does any of that have to do with getting Iowans healthcare? With cleaning our water? With a fair tax system? With good education? With good jobs? With safe and affordable housing? Nothing.
Please stop trying to play pundit, and talk about issues. This moment is a golden opportunity, and we are running out of time! While the candidates do agree on most issues, there are some key differences. Check that out!
Another frustration I feel is the decision by supporters of both candidates to put so much focus on negative campaigning. As I mentioned earlier, I support Wahls. (Again, more on that later.) That said, Josh Turek has an incredible story. By all accounts, he is a great guy. His record is solid. If he wins, I’ll be sending him a contribution. And regardless of who wins, as usual, I will knock hundreds of doors.
One more thing: the decision by Chuck Schumer to use donor dollars to weigh in on this race pisses me off. First, Iowans deserve to make this decision free from outside interference. Secondly, how well has Schumer done with his picks? Janet Mills, in Maine, anyone? How did he do in races in Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota? His track record is not good. Let the voters decide, and save those millions for the fall, when we are running against Republicans!
Finally, why I support Zach Wahls: The answer is simple – I have gotten to know him. He is my friend. We care about the same things. We have been on the same side for several fights. We stood shoulder to shoulder fighting for residents in our mobile home communities. Zach literally and figuratively showed up. That matters. He is very smart, he is an excellent speaker, and I believe he can do this job. That is enough for me.
Please weigh in on this important election. Then put your time, talents, and treasure toward whoever wins. They are going to need it!
*Biking Award
The Johnson County Downtown Campus has been designated as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Business for the third time by the League of American Bicyclists.
The campus, which includes the Administration, Health and Human Services, and Ambulance Service and Medical Examiner facilities in Iowa City, previously earned gold recognition in 2017 and 2021.
The national recognition program assesses bicycle encouragement, education, planning and evaluation, and infrastructure every four years.
Johnson County’s recognized efforts included encouraging employees to commute by bike, hosting bike breakfasts, sharing safe riding tips in multiple languages, surveying employees about their bike habits and providing bicycle racks at each building.
Staff input on committees that focus on trails and safety, and funding from the Board of Supervisors to the Iowa City Bike Library, also helped Johnson County earn gold.
More than 1,130 businesses nationwide hold the Bicycle Friendly Business designation. The latest round recognized 44 new and renewing businesses. The recognition provides Johnson County access to League educational materials and technical assistance.
Learn more about the Bicycle Friendly Business program at www.bikeleague.org/business.
*DID YOU KNOW? I was the first elected official in the whole US to endorse Bernie Sanders for President, way back in 2015.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
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As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan29@gmail.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 9:04 AM
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