Polk County's Connolly to retire after 25+ years as supervisor
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Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly. Photo: Courtesy of Polk County
Angela Connolly will not seek reelection next year, ending nearly 30 years as a Polk County supervisor, she told Axios on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Her decision means at least two of the board's three incumbent Democrats will step aside at the end of 2026, potentially giving Republicans a better chance of gaining majority control of the five-member board for the first time in decades.
Catch up quick: Connolly, now 71, was a county zoning enforcement officer when she was elected in November 1998.
- She advocated for the $201 million Iowa Events Center project, which faced strong opposition at the time, including a citizen petition drive in 2001 that nearly led to a special election over its funding.
- She has also long pressed for increased mental health resources, partly motivated by her son, Matt, who experienced a mental health crisis over 20 years ago before receiving help that she credits with saving his life.
State of play: Supervisor Tom Hockensmith announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection. Des Moines Councilmember Joe Gatto, a Democrat, is already running for his seat.
- Supervisors chairperson Matt McCoy, the third Democrat on the board, tells Axios he intends to make a formal announcement in the coming weeks about whether he will seek reelection next year.
- The terms of Republicans Mark Holm and Jill Altringer don't expire until the end of 2028.
Inside the room: Connolly said her decision is driven by her desire to spend more time with family, and not because of the ongoing legal disputes among supervisors that Hockensmith mentioned when he announced his decision in July.
- Kimberley Strope-Boggus, a 2023 candidate for DSM City Council, tells Axios she's considering a run for Connolly's District 5 seat, which covers much of the northern sections of DSM and parts of downtown.
The intrigue: Connolly told Axios she "won't disappear" and she will still be involved in the community after she leaves the board.
- "I'm always going to advocate for the things I believe in," she said.
What's next: Next year's primary election is June 2.