Corruption accused in Polk County recorder's race
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Polk County Administration Building. Photo: Courtesy of Polk County
A Polk County Democrat is accusing the retiring Polk County recorder of giving her deputy an unfair advantage in an upcoming primary, though both of those accused say any seemingly nefarious activity was driven by a family emergency, not collusion.
State of play: Justin Hollinrake, an Ankeny City Councilmember speaking in a personal capacity, alleges Polk County Recorder Julie Haggerty and her deputy recorder, Lisa Chiodo, coordinated to position Chiodo as Haggerty's successor.
- The recorder's office maintains and issues official documents, including real estate records, birth and death certificates, and marriage licenses.
- Haggerty, a Democrat who has served as the elected recorder for nearly 20 years, is earning a salary of $153,769 in FY 2025-26.
Zoom in: Haggerty announced she was retiring in a news release on March 18, just two days before the candidate filing deadline.
- But nomination papers show that Chiodo had begun collecting the 100 signatures required to enter the race as early as January, including one from Haggerty dated Jan. 5.
- Chiodo also filed paperwork for her campaign committee, "Vote Chiodo," on March 16.
What they're saying: "It's very important that you call out corruption, no matter which side it is on," Hollinrake tells Axios. "Everyone needs to be better than that."
The other side: Haggerty tells Axios she planned to run again this year, but at 70 and as a caretaker for her aging parents, retirement was also on the table.
- Knowing this, Chiodo told Haggerty in January of plans to run if Haggerty decided to step down, Chiodo tells Axios.
- Chiodo — who has worked in the recorder's office for nearly a decade — began collecting signatures in January as a contingency. Haggerty says she signed as a show of support.
Yes, but: Several days before St. Patrick's Day, Haggerty's father was hospitalized, prompting her to reconsider running for reelection.
- "It was a very, very tough decision, and I decided I couldn't do all of it," Haggerty says. "My priority now is my parents."
- She says she informed Polk County Democratic chair Bill Brauch of her decision on March 17. The public became aware of it a day later.
The bottom line: Hollinrake remains skeptical. He points to Chiodo collecting signatures in January and filing her campaign committee on March 16, with her final signature gathered on March 17, as evidence of a predetermined plan
- "I hope Lisa will acknowledge her mistake by withdrawing her nomination because this is just totally unethical behavior," he says.
Go deeper: The nomination papers