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Businessman Steve Minert announces candidacy for County Recorder

Steve Minert, successful North Iowa businessman who would likely be serving in Des Moines come January had underhanded tactics not de-railed his candidacy.

MASON CITY – Steve Minert, a well-known Mason City Harley-Davidson dealer and Cerro Gordo county public official, announced today that he’s a candidate for the GOP nomination for the office of Cerro Gordo county Recorder. The incumbent, Democrat Colleen Pearce, is stepping down on June 30, after holding office since 1990. Minert and any other candidate, or candidates, will have to be nominated by a special convention of their party.

Minert, 51, has long been courted by north Iowans as a candidate for public office. In 2018, he had planned to seek the Iowa Senate seat held by Democrat Amanda Ragan, but reluctantly declined. Mr. Minert NorthIowaToday.com, “Now, my kids are adults; the youngest will soon leave for college. My businesses are doing well, and the staff at our dealerships can operate with minimal oversight. It’s time to apply some private sector methods and expertise to county government. Also, I’m not a politician and haven’t spent years on any public payroll. I’ll bring a different perspective to this position.”

The county Recorder’s office holds deeds, records of mortgages, titles and other financial documents concerning real estate, tax liens, and other such information. The office also facilitates matters relating to the DNR – the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These responsibilities include issuing hunting and fishing licenses, and the licensing of ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and Off-Road vehicles. The county Recorder frequently interacts with lawyers, accountants and finance professionals.

Minert told NIT that since graduating from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 1992, he’s “probably processed 10,000 title issuances and transfers” relating to his business enterprises. Since 2015, Minert has served as a voting member of the Cerro Gordo county Compensation Board, which sets the salaries of elected officials. If elected, Mr. Minert told NorthIowaToday.com, he will resign from that influential board, per the Code of Iowa.

As a current member and former chairman of the Comp Board, Mr. Minert has long tried to rein in what he considers to be excessive compensation. Under his management, the Mason City and Charles City Harley franchises have won numerous awards, including being named as the Chamber of Commerce member of the year, twice, and – in 2019 – Harley-Davidson’s top corporate management named the Mason City store as the 75th most profitable in the world.
Minert, a registered Republican, “welcomes support from ALL voters in Cerro Gordo county.” He plans to apply an efficient, business-oriented approach to running the Recorder’s office, and – in accordance with what the county’s three Republican Supervisors are already doing – will refuse any salary increases recommended by the Compensation Board. Steve Minert and his father, Ron Minert, have for decades been extremely generous benefactors to numerous north Iowa charitable endeavors.

Minert holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Criminal Justice and Agency Administration, and an Associates of Arts degree from Buena Vista University.

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