Johnathan Bartholomew

Name: Johnathan Bartholomew

Residence: Brighton

Party on Ballot: No Party

Family: Eligible bachelor

Occupation: Machine Operator at LB Products

' What experience/traits do you have that you believe makes you the best candidate?

I realized when I began running for this position that I may be the youngest candidate to run for county supervisor in the state of Iowa. However, my young years have been filled with experience.

Throughout my childhood, I worked 12 years to earn the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout. I was able to serve others by traveling with the Hays Pure Water for All Foundation to foreign countries to purify water.

I spent time playing piano at our community center for our older ladies and gentlemen in the county.

In high school, I became one of the few students to earn my diploma and associate degree.

However, during my middle school years, my mother was injured in a factory job. At that point, I had to take on the responsibility of helping to take care of my younger brother while my mother worked to obtain training and begin her new career as a teacher.

This helped me realize what many working families go through in our community to take care of their families.

Therefore, putting the needs of the families first and creating a stronger county instead of being beholden to any business or agenda is what makes me the best candidate for this position.

' Why are you running for office?

During the 2020 election cycle, I had the opportunity to be a field organizer for President Donald Trump and help elect local county and state-level candidates. I've become very interested in how government can serve people.

Now, I have been given the opportunity to compete for District 3 county supervisor to serve others.

' What are your priorities if elected?

Well if elected, it's going to be a learning experience, and the first year will be the most educational.

I've heard that secondary roads are always an issue, so I plan to keep our roads kept up.

Past that, I will always vote for the betterment of Washington County on the issues the department heads and citizens put on the agenda.

' What do you see as the top issues facing the county, both in the short term and long term?

There is a simple truth in life that everything is either growing or dying.

The biggest issue I see facing Washington County is the lack of businesses.

I don't believe we should have to travel 30 to 45 minutes from our homes to have decent-paying jobs.

We often complain of high property taxes, and the solution I see to this is attracting more businesses to our county.

My long-term goal as a county supervisor will be to grow our economy by bringing in more businesses and helping entrepreneurs.