Cindy Johnson of Carroll is the Democratic nominee for the District 5 seat on the Carroll County Board of Supervisors. Johnson is currently the pastor for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Carroll and previously served on the Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education for one term, two years of which as its president. Johnson says serving the community in whatever way she can has always been important to her, and that philosophy led her to the decision to run for supervisor.
Johnson became pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in 2013, but her history in Carroll County extends well before that. Johnson and her family moved to Coon Rapids in 1973 when her father accepted a position as a feedlot manager for Garst Farms. She graduated from Coon Rapids High School but moved to northwest Iowa soon after her father’s passing to be closer to family. Johnson lived in California for eight years before returning to Iowa, where she attended seminary school in eastern Iowa from 2002 to 2006. She says living in different communities has given her a breadth of experience to draw upon. After returning to Carroll County, she says it became apparent quickly that aging infrastructure is a concern.
Johnson adds that access to mental health resources is becoming increasingly difficult in rural parts of the state, and the future is uncertain as the state adopts new mental health regions in an attempt to address the issue. If elected, she says she would ensure the county makes mental health support a priority. Johnson says her willingness to work with others and her fresh perspective make her well-suited for the job.
Johnson is running against Republican Mark McCrea of Carroll, and Carroll Broadcasting will have more from him in upcoming newscasts. Both candidates are scheduled to appear during the Carroll Chamber of Commerce’s forum on Oct. 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Carroll Rec Center. Early voting opens on Oct. 16 in Iowa.
