Former State Representative John Forbes Announces Campaign for Polk County Supervisor, Vows to “Turn the Page” and Lead with Democratic Values

Former State Representative and longtime community pharmacist John Forbes today announced his campaign for Polk County Supervisor in District 1, pledging to “turn the page” on division and refocus county government on delivering results for residents across West Des Moines, Clive, Windsor Heights, and western Des Moines. Forbes will be running against incumbent County Supervisor Matt McCoy.

Forbes, a Democrat who served six terms in the Iowa House of Representatives, said Polk County must lead and take care of its residents even while facing funding challenges at the state and federal levels.

“At a time when the Statehouse Republicans keep attacking local authority, we cannot wait for someone else to solve our problems — Democrats must lead and our elected leadership should reflect our values,” said Forbes. “I am a Democrat, and I will put people first — not politics. With limited dollars, we must focus on real priorities: mental health services, food insecurity, and housing insecurity — not taxpayer-funded lawyers and lawsuits.”

Forbes said his campaign will focus on restoring trust in county government and ensuring leadership is focused on results rather than political infighting.

“Polk County deserves new leadership focused on solving problems — not political games,” Forbes said. “It is time to turn the page on division and taxpayer waste. As your County Supervisor, I will provide leadership that reflects our values, protects taxpayers, and works every day to strengthen our community.”

Forbes brings decades of experience serving Central Iowa families as a pharmacist, small business owner, and legislator. During his time in the Iowa House, he became known for focusing on practical solutions to health care and social service challenges.