Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald running unopposed for reelection
Longtime Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald is running for reelection.
Fitzgerald, who has served in the position since January 2007, oversees five county departments including the elections office, according to Polk County's website. Fitzgerald is running unopposed.
To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, Des Moines area legislative and local candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
The primary election is scheduled for June 4 ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.
More: Early voting has started for Iowa's June 4 primary election. Here's what you should know:
Who is Jamie Fitzgerald (incumbent)?
Age: 52
Party: Democrat
Grew up: Fort Dodge
Current town of residence: Des Moines
Education: Associate of Arts, Iowa Central Community College; Bachelor of Arts, Iowa State University; Certificate of Public Management, Drake University; Certified Elections Registration Administrator, Auburn University/Election Center
Occupation: Polk County auditor and commissioner of elections
Political experience and civic activities: Polk County auditor and commissioner of elections, 2007-present; Polk County auditor, first deputy auditor, 2002-2006; member of and volunteer for a number of charitable boards and projects in past; volunteer youth athletics coach; Polk County Deferred Compensation Committee, 2007-2024; Certified Public Manager Advisory Committee, Drake University, 2013-present; Mind and Spirit Counseling Board, 2024- present; St Anthony’s Church, parishioner
Why are you running?
Fitzgerald: I am honored to serve our community as county auditor. I am grateful for the trust and confidence that voters have placed in me. I will continue to foster transparency in accounting, property tax and election processes. I will work to ensure that every eligible voter can vote and will maintain the integrity and security of our voting process. I will continue efforts to bolster election cybersecurity, expand voter registration outreach, and continue to ensure accurate tax data is readily available for our citizens. I will work with the Legislature to advocate for our citizens on voting and taxation issues.
What is the most important issue facing Polk County and how would you address it in office?
Fitzgerald: There are numerous important issues that face Polk County in the future, but I would say in the area I am responsible it would be to ensure that our election process in transparent, secure, safe and fair for all voters. There are a number of changes that occur in the election process annually and we strive to inform our staff, poll workers, and voters of these new laws. We train our poll workers before city/school, primary and general elections and will look to train before every election. We have post election audits that we have expanded from the one random precinct selected by the Iowa Secretary of State to add additional precincts to ensure the results are fair and accurate.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald running unopposed for reelection
