By Solomon Fenton-Miller, Coralville
My partner attended her first Johnson County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 6 to share concerns about the county jail survey. Most supervisors listened respectfully and offered additional opportunities for discussion. Supervisor Rod Sullivan, on the other hand, likened my partner to RFK Jr. for questioning scientific results. He later escalated the exchange during a confrontation at the meeting break. We were stunned to see an elected official respond with ridicule rather than dialogue.
After returning home, I Googled Mr. Sullivan and learned he has been on the board for 20 years and enjoys endorsements from Iowa politicians such as Zach Wahls and Adam Zabner. I also discovered that Mr. Sullivan has a long and regular history of abrasive, unprofessional, and irresponsible behavior. Here are a few examples, documented online:
- In 2008, Mr. Sullivan wrote in response to an email critic, “How about Rod saves you a trip and comes over to personally kick your ass?”
- In 2012, during a Board meeting, Mr. Sullivan got into a loud argument with the County Auditor and then unprecedently ended the meeting early.
- In 2013, Mr. Sullivan published a long diatribe on his blog accusing the Iowa City City Manager of “screwing” over Johnson County in a disagreement about shuttle service funding.
- In 2020, Mr. Sullivan sent emails from his official county account to a political opponent, calling him an “asshole” and “piece of shit,” and then stated, “I am planning on asking them to create a ‘Dickhead of the Year’ award and present it to you.”
- In 2021, Mr. Sullivan posted on Twitter questioning the work status of an immigrant community member, which became part of a larger complaint around discriminatory practices.
- In 2023, during a Board meeting, Mr. Sullivan can be heard loudly laughing while a constituent states his Native American name.
- In 2024, Mr. Sullivan led the public criticism and firing of former Board of Supervisors executive director Guillermo Morales, without progressive discipline, which has led to an ongoing discrimination lawsuit. Mr. Sullivan, serving as Board chair at the time, did not allow public comments the day after.
I have listened to recent Board meetings (all public online) and witnessed Mr. Sullivan regularly acting dismissive of and condescending towards his colleagues. In talking with community members, I have heard more stories of Mr. Sullivan’s disgraceful and often sexist behavior. Some of these stories were shared during public comment on May 14. Others may never be shared because too many people are afraid of being yelled at by Mr. Sullivan.
This pattern of public humiliation and hostility has no place in local government. I don’t expect Mr. Sullivan to agree with every constituent, but I do expect him to treat people with professionalism and respect.
Last week I asked the Board of Supervisors to censure Mr. Sullivan, and I directly asked him to apologize to the community. Thankfully, we do not have to rely on the Board to act because Mr. Sullivan is up for reelection this year. If you live in District 4, I urge you to vote for his opponent in the primary on June 2 or by early voting any day at the auditor’s office. We deserve better from our elected officials.
