John Norwood

John Norwood was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a high school diploma from Wayland High School, a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1987, and a graduate degree from the Yale School of Management in 1993. Norwood also earned a graduate degree from the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 1993.[1] His career experience includes working in business management.[2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

HELLO. I’m John Norwood, a lifelong public servant and

financial leader. I have lived in West Des Moines for more

than 21 years, where my two children graduated from West Des Moines Valley High School.

I have a B.A. from Williams College and both an MBA in

Finance and a Masters of Environmental Management from Yale University. I’m a long-standing local member of the CFA Society of Iowa, reflecting my commitment to ethical, disciplined financial stewardship.

In 2018, I was elected Soil and Water Commissioner for Polk County. For more than 30 years, I have helped business leaders, municipalities, agricultural cooperatives, state water agencies, and nonprofit organizations make better financial decisions, manage risk, and plan for the long term. I see myself as an independent thinker and “bridge builder” to get things done across the aisle. I also have over 20 years of board service.

Since 2019, I have served as a Business Advisor with the

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, coaching founders and CEOs across Iowa on growth, performance improvement, and long-term strategy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

1. Financial Transparency & Accountability

Iowa is facing a $1.2+ billion structural budget deficit due to poor taxing and spending decisions. As State Treasurer, I will serve as an independent, pragmatic voice focused on transparency and fiscal responsibility. I will clearly communicate how state dollars are raised and spent, call out unsound budgeting decisions, and work to protect Iowa’s AAA bond rating. The Treasurer’s office should not be red or blue—it should be about dollars and cents. I will ensure taxpayer dollars are managed wisely and that Iowans have a clear understanding of their state’s financial position.2. Protect and Strengthen IPERS

IPERS is a $45+ billion, largely self-funded retirement system supporting over 420,000 Iowans and returning $2.5 billion annually to local economies. As Treasurer and a member of the IPERS Board, I will act as a fiduciary to protect and strengthen this system. I oppose efforts to privatize or weaken IPERS, including proposals that would reduce participation and undermine long-term stability. I will hold management accountable, ensure transparency, and work with policymakers to maintain a strong membership base and sustainable funding structure for current and future retirees.3. Address Affordability & Expand Opportunity

The Treasurer’s office can play a larger role in helping Iowans build financial security. I will work to expand programs that support education savings, retirement planning, homeownership, trade skills, and small business growth and acquisition. By partnering with community banks and financial institutions, we can improve access to capital and practical financial tools. Strong families, good jobs, and thriving local businesses go hand in hand. My goal is to ensure the Treasurer’s office helps Iowans not just manage today’s costs, but build long-term financial stability and opportunity.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about fiscal responsibility, retirement security, and expanding economic opportunity for everyday Iowans.

Government should be transparent, accountable, and focused on protecting taxpayers’ dollars, with sustainable budgets that safeguard Iowa’s long-term financial health. I am committed to protecting IPERS, which serves over 420,000 Iowans and supports our local economies.

I also believe the Treasurer’s office can do more to help Iowans build financial security—through education savings, homeownership, trade skills, and small business growth. My focus is on practical, common-sense policies that strengthen Iowa’s economy and help families plan for the future.

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased February 1, 2022

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

John Norwood believes the great state of Iowa needs a modern vision for its agricultural system built on the principles of resiliency, diversity, and profitability.

“As Secretary, I will protect urban and rural consumers, expand economic opportunities around diversified food and agriculture production, and advocate for the needs of ALL food, grain and livestock producers. At the county level, at the statehouse, in Washington, D.C. and with international partners around the world. Priority #1 is to create a sustainable Iowa that is built to last – including strengthening the resiliency of our 20+ million acres of corn and beans. Healthy Soils, Clean Air, safe drinking water, abundant grazing, connected habitat.”

As a business advisor, small business owner, and board director, Norwood recognizes the importance of good governance, thorough planning, efficient operations, and garnering sufficient resources to do the job well. He travels the state regularly to work with business owners in agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and related industries.

As a Polk County Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner he uses his keen listening skills, as an opportunity to add local perspectives into a balanced vision for the future that includes the wise use of state and federal infrastructure dollars to build a resilient, enduring Iowa for the ages. Norwood’s core values include authentic inquiry, rationality, humility, patience, and faith.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Vision to Align Parties Around Strategies and Actions that Can Deliver ResultsRelationship Oriented Politician that Operates with Empathy and Humility as well as Courage and GritIndependent Voice who will Serve the Interests of ALL Iowans with Respect to Food, Agriculture, Nutrition, Water Quality and Land Stewardship

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Biggest public policy challenges of Our Time include Address Our Changing Climate while Building a "balanced" and "resilient" Food and Agricultural System that can deliver clean water, healthy soils, thriving communities. This system must feed a growing population while being protective of the natural systems that sustain our planet include our atmosphere, oceans, tropical rainforests and polar ice caps.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

This Office Holds a Unique Position in Iowa State Government that go beyond its statutory duties over markets, regulation, and land stewardship.

The Secretary is in unique position to shape the vision for the future of Iowa Agriculture.

And because the economic and cultural foundation of Iowa is agriculture (top 10 world producer / #2 in the United States in terms of dollar value only behind California), Iowa's agricultural system plays an enormously important role in the overall health of the economy including our 99 Counties.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Tip O'Neill was a political hero because of his focus on developing relationships with his constituents as well as fellow members of Congress. He said "all politics is local," which is certainly true in Iowa, and even more so for Iowa agriculture.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

We need people to serve in elective office who can bring diverse coalitions together to solve problems. Usually the most successful are relationship oriented, good communicators, both orally and written. They have the ability to listen, they are curious, and have the ability to inspire others to act for the collective good.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Personal Values include: inquiry, rationality, humility, patience, and faith.

What legacy would you like to leave?

An agricultural system for Iowa that is the envy of the world. It's a system based in sustainability, resiliency, diversity, profitability, inclusiveness in those who want to participate, and it's in balance with our environmental systems: air, water, soil, habitat and community health.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Annual Patriot's Day Parade in Historic Concord, the site of the "farmer's shot heard round the world" which started the Revolutionary War.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Carpenter's Apprentice During High School Summer.

What is your favorite book? Why?

So Many. Just finished 5th Risk by Michael Lewis. We need good people to run for office and serve in government. The biggest threats to our Nation's survival are not external. They are internal decay and disfunction.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Bond. James Bond.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Brooks and Dunn, My Maria.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Life is a Journey. We all have personal struggles of varying degrees and magnitudes. If you get knocked down, we pick ourselves up.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

The statutory duties are all important but the ability to shape the future direction of Iowa's food and agricultural system in concert with public and private stakeholders at the local, state and federal level is equally important.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

This office can dramatically improve the quality of our state's waters, soil health and community health if we can begin to "rebalance" a tremendously productive system that is out of balance. We're losing our soil at 10X the rate it's produced, we're sending a billion pounds of nitrates down the Mississippi River on an average year, and almost 70 of our 99 counties are in population decline. These metrics are all symptoms of a system out-of-balance. The Secretary is the people's representative who can shape the debate and bring parties together who can help shape the strategies and tactics we need to employ to build a resilient, diverse, inclusive system - one that is built to last.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. Particularly when it comes to working on issues involving land use and water. As Mark Twain said, "Whisky is for drinking and water is for fighting." I've spent nearly 4 years as an elected County Soil and Water Commissioner building relationship around the state, learning about the issues, and developing a three legged plan for addressing the imbalances. See www.Norwood4Iowa.com

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Vision. A Strategic Mind. Relationship Oriented Person. Empathic. Curious. Humble.

A person with grit and determination. Willing to lead. Take a lot of Heat from the Many Special Interests Involved.

Tell us your favorite joke.

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

-Steve Martin