John Forbes for Polk County Supervisor

I’m really excited to get to work.

Forbes unseats McCoy in Polk County supervisor primary John Forbes unseated incumbent Matt McCoy to win the Polk County supervisor primary and says he’s excited to get to work in January.

Thank you, Polk County.

Last night was humbling, exciting, and a reminder of what can happen when people come together around a shared vision for the future.

This victory belongs to the volunteers who knocked more than 10,000 doors, the supporters who made phone calls and hosted events, and the countless people who believed it was time to turn the page and move Polk County forward.

I also want to thank Matt McCoy for his years of public service. We had a good conversation by phone last night, and I appreciate his congratulations and well wishes.

Now the primary campaign is over, and the work begins.

I ran to bring steady, full-time leadership to the Polk County Board of Supervisors, restore trust in county government, and focus on the issues that matter most to residents, including water quality, mental health services, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Thank you for putting your trust in me. I'm ready to get to work for Polk County.

Thank you to everyone who voted. This result shows Polk County is ready for change. And I’m ready to deliver.

Voters elected Democrat John Forbes for the Polk County supervisor District 1 seat, unseating incumbent Matt McCoy. See link below ⬇️

Thank you!

Because of your support, your time, your donations, your encouragement, your phone calls, your door knocking, your conversations with neighbors, and your belief in this campaign, we won.

I am deeply grateful and humbled by the trust you have placed in me.

From the beginning, this campaign was about a simple idea: Polk County deserves leadership focused on people, not politics; results, not chaos. It is time to turn the page, end the dysfunction, and move Polk County forward.

That message resonated because of you.

You helped build a campaign rooted in steady leadership, accountability, and a belief that county government should focus on its core responsibilities - public safety, human services, infrastructure, and delivering services well for the people who call Polk County home.

I am honored to have had the support of so many community leaders, elected officials and labor leaders. But most of all, I am honored by people like you who stepped up because you care about the future of Polk County.

This victory belongs to all of us.

Now the real work begins. I will work every day to provide steady, full-time leadership on the Board of Supervisors, protect taxpayer dollars, restore trust, and keep Polk County focused on the people we serve.

Thank you for believing in this campaign. Thank you for standing with me. Thank you for helping us turn the page.

With gratitude,
John Forbes

Since the day we launched this campaign, we knew we would have to earn every vote.

I’m incredibly grateful to the volunteers who knocked doors, made phone calls, put up signs, and dedicated countless hours to helping move Polk County forward.

We set an ambitious goal of knocking 10,000 doors. Together, we exceeded it, reaching 10,070 doors across the district.

And through those conversations, we heard a consistent message: voters are ready for a change.

They’re ready to turn the page, end the chaos, and move Polk County forward with steady, full-time leadership focused on results.

I was proud to cast my ballot today with my wife, Cindy, at Valley Church in West Des Moines.

Election Day is here. If you haven’t voted yet, polls are open until 8 p.m. Be sure to get out and vote.

I hope I’ve earned your vote for Polk County Supervisor District 1!

I'm honored to have the endorsement of the Des Moines Register, the Iowa Unity Coalition and more than 70 Polk County leaders, elected officials, labor leaders, and community advocates, and I would be honored to earn your support as well.

I am asking for your vote today.