2 candidates · vote for 1 · swipe ↔ · side by side

About the office

Collects property and other taxes owed to the county, issues and renews vehicle registrations and titles, receives and pays out county money and keeps its accounts, and pays collected tax money to school districts and other local governments.

Term: 4 years.

Brent C. Oleson

Linn County Treasurer

Democratic★ Incumbent

Photo: source

Surveillance & privacy

No sourced statement on surveillance found yet (license plate readers, cameras, facial recognition, drones, data retention).

Quick facts

Office: Linn County Treasurer
Incumbent: Yes
Opponent: R Paul Talley (Republican)
Raised this cycle: $11,400; all years on file: $224,783

At a glance

$11,400Raised (cycle)

$4,204Spent (cycle)

10Contributions

$87,575From PACs

$36,943From party

Oct. 12, 2026Latest filing

Recent statement

Ballotpedia lists the Hawkeye Area Labor Council (HALC) AFL-CIO among Oleson's endorsements.

Biography

The race

Brent C. Oleson is the Democratic candidate for Linn County Treasurer in the Nov. 3, 2026, Linn County general election.
They currently hold the office.
Also on the ballot for this office: Paul Talley (Republican).

Sources: Linn County Election Services candidate list

Record in office

The Linn County staff directory lists Oleson as County Treasurer.
Was a lawyer from Marion when he ran for the Linn County Board of Supervisors in 2008 as the replacement candidate for state Sen. Mary Lundby, and defeated Central City Mayor Don Gray with 58 percent of the vote in District 4.
Switched to the Republican Party as a teenager during the Reagan years and served as the youngest delegate at the 1988 Republican National Convention.
Was the only Republican on the five-member Linn County Board of Supervisors when he took office on Jan. 2, 2009.

Show 7 more

While on the Board of Supervisors, was appointed to the ASAC Board, the county Legislative Committee, and as liaison to the Conservation Board.
Worked as Linn County's deputy director of policy and communications in 2022, presenting a proposed conversion-therapy ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for third consideration.
Has a law degree from the University of Iowa and served on the Linn County Conservation Board.
Announced in August 2020 that he would not seek re-election as a Linn County supervisor.
His campaign Facebook page describes him as a former Linn County Supervisor.
The Ballot Brief, which says it uses AI to research and write its content, states Oleson was elected a Linn County supervisor in 2008 and served through 2020, citing The Gazette.
His campaign Facebook page bio describes him as "an outdoorsman, conservationist & former Linn County Supervisor.".

Sources: Linn County, Iowa; The Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive); The Gazette (Cedar Rapids); The Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive); The Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive); Facebook; The Ballot Brief

Positions & statements

Said experience, accountability and transparency matter in the Treasurer's office, noting nearly a half-billion dollars flows through it each year.
Said residents paying their property taxes, registering a vehicle or transferring a title deserve a system that respects their time and works the way people expect in 2026.
Said he has focused on improving the office's customer service, efficiency and accessibility, expanding online options for paying property taxes and adding an appointment system.
Posted that giving people more choices in how they use the Treasurer's office has been one of his priorities, citing online, appointment and walk-in options.

Show 2 more

Posted a request for votes as the Democratic candidate for Linn County Treasurer ahead of the general election.
In a campaign Facebook post he self-identifies as "(Democratic)" and uses the slogan "When We Vote WE Win!".

Sources: The Gazette; Facebook

Endorsements

Ballotpedia lists the Hawkeye Area Labor Council (HALC) AFL-CIO among Oleson's endorsements.

Sources: Ballotpedia

Campaign money

Brent C. Oleson's campaign committee is Taxpayers for Oleson (IECDB id 18364).
The committee has reported $224,783.39 in contributions across 524 contributions in filings through Oct. 12, 2026, $11,400.00 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
The largest individual donors include Mary & Claude Greiner ($21,400.00), Bernie & Barbara Cooper ($2,000.00), Jason & Jennifer Smith ($2,000.00), Jerry Ford ($2,000.00), Ray & Lori Brown ($2,000.00), Neil & Dr. Donald Linder-Boudreaux ($1,850.00), Deb & Dan Callahan ($1,600.00), Dan & Donna Lynch ($1,500.00).
Contributions under the Oleson name among the top donors total $4,825.31.

Show 5 more

PAC and other committee contributions total $87,575.00, led by Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 125 Political Education Fund, Cedar Rapids Trades Council CR IC Building Trades PAC, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC IBEW, Linn Eagles, Linn Phoenix Club, IRONWORKERS LOCAL #89 POLITICAL EDUCATION FUND, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters PAC, United Union of Roofers Pol Ed and Leg Fund of Iowa, Operating Engineers Local 234 Political Fund, North Central States Carpenter PAC.
Party committee contributions total $36,943.29, led by Linn County Republican Central Committee, Linn County Democratic Central Committee, DRIVE -(Democrat, Republican Independent Voter Education).
Reported expenditures total $208,367.41 across 250 payments, $4,204.20 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
The largest outside payees include Carter Printing ($30,269.25), Victory Enterprises ($18,362.43), Marion Times ($11,358.60), Mediaquest ($8,446.90), Adcraft ($7,075.12), Lamar ($6,077.50), OnMedia Communications ($4,972.70), The Lamar Companies ($3,950.00), Second Story Promotions ($3,611.25).
Payments listed to Brent C. Oleson total $61,670.93.

Sources: Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (committees); Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (contributions)

In the news

Ballotpedia lists Oleson as the Democratic incumbent running for Linn County Treasurer against Paul Talley (R) in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Sources: Ballotpedia

Where they stand

Each mark is one sourced item from Positions & statements (left) or Record in office (right), grouped by issue. Click a mark to open its source; open an issue below to read its items.Tap an issue to see the sourced items.

Property taxes & budget2 statements

Positions

Said residents paying their property taxes, registering a vehicle or transferring a title deserve a system that respects their time and works the way people expect in 2026.newsThe Gazette · Feb. 14, 2026

Said he has focused on improving the office's customer service, efficiency and accessibility, expanding online options for paying property taxes and adding an appointment system.newsThe Gazette · Feb. 14, 2026

Record

None found.

Government efficiency & transparency2 statements

Positions

Said experience, accountability and transparency matter in the Treasurer's office, noting nearly a half-billion dollars flows through it each year.newsThe Gazette · Feb. 14, 2026

Record

None found.

Labor & unions1 statement

Positions

Ballotpedia lists the Hawkeye Area Labor Council (HALC) AFL-CIO among Oleson's endorsements.referenceBallotpedia · Oct. 17, 2026

Record

None found.

Water & environment2 other records

Positions

None found.

Record

While on the Board of Supervisors, was appointed to the ASAC Board, the county Legislative Committee, and as liaison to the Conservation Board.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids) · Jan. 16, 2009

His campaign Facebook page bio describes him as "an outdoorsman, conservationist & former Linn County Supervisor."socialFacebook · Oct. 19, 2026

The race

Linn County TreasurerGeneral election · Nov. 3, 2026

Brent C. OlesonDemocratic · ★ IncumbentThis profile
Paul TalleyRepublican

Source: Linn County Election Services candidate list · Oct. 7, 2026

Ballotpedia lists Oleson as the Democratic incumbent running for Linn County Treasurer against Paul Talley (R) in the November 3, 2026 general election.referenceBallotpedia · Oct. 17, 2026

Past races

Years come from the item text; a gray italic year is when the source was published.

2008
The Ballot Brief, which says it uses AI to research and write its content, states Oleson was elected a Linn County supervisor in 2008 and served through 2020, citing The Gazette.referenceThe Ballot Brief · Oct. 17, 2026

Campaign money

Campaign committee: Taxpayers for Oleson (IECDB id 18364).officialIowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (committees) · Oct. 12, 2026

Filings through Oct. 12, 2026

Contributions since Jan. 1, 2025	$11,400
Contributions, all years on file	$224,783
Individuals and other organizations	$100,265
PACs and other committees	$87,575
Party committees	$36,943
Spending since Jan. 1, 2025	$4,204
Spending, all years on file	$208,367

Largest contributors

Mary & Claude Greiner$21,400
Brent C. Oleson$2,500
Ann & Brent Oleson$2,325
Bernie & Barbara Cooper$2,000
Jason & Jennifer Smith$2,000

Show all 10

Jerry Ford$2,000
Ray & Lori Brown$2,000
Neil & Dr. Donald Linder-Boudreaux$1,850
Deb & Dan Callahan$1,600
Dan & Donna Lynch$1,500

Individuals and organizations other than committees, all years on file.

Record in office

Years come from the item text; a gray italic year is when the source was published.

2026
His campaign Facebook page bio describes him as "an outdoorsman, conservationist & former Linn County Supervisor."socialFacebook · Oct. 19, 2026Water & environment
The Linn County staff directory lists Oleson as County Treasurer.officialLinn County, Iowa · Oct. 17, 2026
2022
Worked as Linn County's deputy director of policy and communications in 2022, presenting a proposed conversion-therapy ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for third consideration.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · June 18, 2022
2020
Announced in August 2020 that he would not seek re-election as a Linn County supervisor.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 2, 2022
2009
While on the Board of Supervisors, was appointed to the ASAC Board, the county Legislative Committee, and as liaison to the Conservation Board.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids) · Jan. 16, 2009Water & environment

Show 1 more

2008
Was a lawyer from Marion when he ran for the Linn County Board of Supervisors in 2008 as the replacement candidate for state Sen. Mary Lundby, and defeated Central City Mayor Don Gray with 58 percent of the vote in District 4.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 23, 2008
Was the only Republican on the five-member Linn County Board of Supervisors when he took office on Jan. 2, 2009.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 23, 2008Year is the source's publication date.

Positions & statements

4 statements are grouped above under Property taxes & budget, Government efficiency & transparency, Labor & unions. Also said:

socialFacebook · Oct. 17, 2026
- Posted that giving people more choices in how they use the Treasurer's office has been one of his priorities, citing online, appointment and walk-in options.
- Posted a request for votes as the Democratic candidate for Linn County Treasurer ahead of the general election.
In a campaign Facebook post he self-identifies as "(Democratic)" and uses the slogan "When We Vote WE Win!"socialFacebook · Oct. 19, 2026

Background

Years come from the item text; a gray italic year is when the source was published.

2026
His campaign Facebook page describes him as a former Linn County Supervisor.socialFacebook · Oct. 17, 2026
2022
Has a law degree from the University of Iowa and served on the Linn County Conservation Board.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 2, 2022
1988
Switched to the Republican Party as a teenager during the Reagan years and served as the youngest delegate at the 1988 Republican National Convention.newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Nov. 23, 2008

In the news

No records found.