House Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, will not run for a fifth term in November.This had been in the rumor mill for a couple weeks, though I never heard the county supervisor angle.
Kaufmann, 49, said Friday he plans to make the announcement during the county conventions he’ll be attending Saturday.
In a letter Kaufmann sent as part of his legislative newsletter Saturday, the Muscatine Community College instructor said he plans to instead run for a seat on the Cedar County Board of Supervisors.
“Those of you who know me well know that this has been a goal of mine much longer than my first run for the State Legislature (in 2004),” he wrote. “I plan to work hard for your vote.”
This opens up Democratic leaning House District 73: all of Cedar County, greater metro Solon and Scott Township in Johnson, and the city of Wilton in Muscatine. On paper it leans Democratic, especially as an open seat.
Democrats have two candidates. Former West Branch city council member David Johnson got in early. It's his third run for the House. He challenged Bob Dvorsky as an independent in 1992, then primaried Dick Myers in 1994 (losing 80-20).
Solon school board member Dick Schwab, a well-known local philanthropist and retired NCS executive, got into the race in late February.
The primary winner faces... who knows? Does Kaufmann have a successor ready to go? Watch the Cedar County convention tomorrow.
Aside: Jeff and I don't agree on a lot but he was always a friend to the Deeth Blog; a regular reader and a good interview. He'd even send me the occasional email to stick up for himself. Thanks for your service, Jeff.
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