Mar 9, 2022 - Politics

Polk County supervisors' future uncertain under new redistricting maps

Illustration of US stripes falling like dominoes pushed by one star

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Polk County supervisors unanimously approved redistricting maps for the board Wednesday.

  • The vote ended months of wrangling with a new process that board chairperson Angela Connolly described as "pure hell."

State of play: Four of the county's five supervisors currently live in two of the new districts, setting up the possibility of incumbent-on-incumbent challenges.

Yes, but: Tom Hockensmith told Axios Wednesday that he may move to the new No. 4 district.

  • If he does, Hockensmith wouldn't have to face off against Connolly, a fellow Democrat who's seeking re-election in the No. 5 district.

Meanwhile, Bob Brownell, a Republican, told Axios he will make a decision about his political plans in coming days. He's currently in the same No. 1 district as Matt McCoy, a Democrat who's seeking re-election.

  • Steve Van Oort is in the new No. 3 district. He isn't up for re-election until 2024.
Data: The Iowa Legislative Services Agency; Map: Baidi Wang/Axios
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