The recently fired executive director of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors is launching a letter-writing campaign in November.
The board fired Guillermo Morales in early September, citing “disrespectful” and “argumentative” behavior in the workplace. In the weeks since, Morales has sought legal advice and told the Press-Citizen that he plans to file a lawsuit for wrongful termination.
A few members of the Johnson County community have since banded together for a letter-writing campaign that started “organically,” said Morales, who used the slogan #JoCoWriteHimIn.
Three candidates have registered to compete for the three open supervisor positions, including two sitting supervisors.
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Morales says community members have pushed for campaign
Morales told the Press-Citizen on Friday, Sept. 20, that he had received “a number of emails and messages” in the wake of his firing. He said people were “surprised” and “disappointed” by the actions of the three supervisors who voted to fire him.
Those same people encouraged him to start a letter-writing campaign.
“I decided that I would take the opportunity to continue the good work I had already done at the province,” Morales said.
Morales has also started a website, jocowritehimin.com, to share more information about himself and his campaign.
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Morales focuses on pursuing ‘bold and innovative programs’
Born in El Paso, Texas, Morales earned a degree in political science from the University of Texas at El Paso and later graduated with a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law. He met his wife, current University of Iowa professor Lina-Maria Murillo, during his time at UTEP.
Morales was hired by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors less than two years ago.
He told the Press-Citizen that the hardest part of his job was “watching the discussions being thwarted by the career politicians currently on the board.”
Supervisors V Fixmer-Oraiz and Jon Green have promoted the creation of a provincial human rights commission, the implementation of a guaranteed income pilot project, the construction of electric vehicle charging stations at provincial buildings and the adoption of wage transparency ordinances, Morales said.
“I want to see these things move forward and I want to promote the progressive vision that our region deserves,” Morales said.
Morales wants the county to be required to have “a good reason to discipline or terminate employees,” an effort to support county employees in a way that “recognizes their dignity” and “the work they have done for the residents of the community.”
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Morales will not be on the November ballot
Because voters did not select Morales in the June 4 Democratic primary, he cannot run for office in the November ballot.
Morales worked for Mandi Remington’s campaign ahead of the June 4 primary “as a private citizen,” he told the Press-Citizen. Remington will face two of the longtime incumbents on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Chairwoman Sullivan and Green-Douglass, for three seats in the Nov. 5 election.
Morales encourages voters to support Remington as well.
If elected, Morales is interested in expanding the county’s affordable housing and child care. According to his campaign website, he also wants to “pursue bold and innovative strategies to protect and support people under attack by the state legislature” and use the county’s “budget authority” to do so.
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Ryan Hansen writes about local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Fired supervisors director plans write-in campaign for general election
