MASON CITY – First District Cerro Gordo County Supervisor Jay Urdahl announced today that he will run for re-election this November.
Urdahl, who first won re-election in 1992, has successfully limited tax rate increases during his tenure and said he’s “very proud of the substantial savings that have benefited taxpayers in Cerro Gordo county” due to efficiencies that he has implemented. Urdahl played the key role of revamping the health insurance plans for county employees in 2014, as has been reported in area media outlets.
“As a direct result of these changes,” Urdahl said, “Cerro Gordo taxpayers have saved nearly $1.6 million, and county employees actually now have improved health care and coverage options at no additional cost.”
Urdahl was also extensively involved, as a member of the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation, in bringing McKesson Pharmaceuticals to Clear Lake. The $60 million medical distribution center will employ nearly 161 workers in jobs which pay an average of nearly $40,000 per year.
“A major goal of mine has been to provide responsive, positive leadership,” Mr. Urdahl said. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all know that my office responds quickly and effectively to their problems on a regular basis.”
Last week, Tim Latham of Mason City announced his candidacy for Mr. Urdah’s seat. Urdahl says he welcomes Mr. Latham to the race, and stressed the Urdahl campaign will be waged on issues of relevance to the citizens of Cerro Gordo county.
“I am sure Mr. Latham will be a worthy opponent,” Mr. Urdahl said. His campaign noted that Mr. Latham ran for a city council seat in 2011, an election won by John Lee.
Supervisor Urdahl is a graduate of Newman High School, NIACC and the University of Northern Iowa. He is employed at UPS and is married to Kristine Urdahl. They have four children and a granddaughter and are members of Holy Family Church.
Seeking comment, NIT reached out to candidate Tim Latham for background on himself and his campaign.
Tim Latham graduated from Mason City High School in 1974. Mr. Latham is a Mason City businessman and owner of the Furniture Mattress Outlet, part-owner of Hildebrand Real Estate, part-owner of The Main Event and owner of Latham Properties. He is a past president of the Mason City Board of Realtors. He is heavily involved in economic development. Mr. Latham is on the board at the Northern Lights Homeless Shelter, is on the board at My Happy Place, a past board member of the Mason City Dog Park, Youth Baseball, and was one of the citizens selected by the mayor and city council in 2010 to a board that would evaluate a possible civic center for downtown Mason City. Mr. Latham is married to Kris and they have 5 children. Tim and his family attend Trinity Lutheran Church.
“I want to offer a different style of leadership,” Mr. Latham told NIT. “I would like to see the county focus more on transparency.”
This First District is comprised of the 2nd ward of Mason City, the 1st ward (1st and 2nd precincts) and the 4th ward (3rd precinct). It also includes Bath and Mason Townships, south of Mason City.
