Why I Wasn’t Running: The Record of the 2018 Benton County Recorder Race

By Cliff Potts, CSO, and Editor-in-Chief of WPS News
Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines — 2026 November 3

Overview

In the 2018 general election, I was listed as the Democratic candidate for County Recorder in Benton County, Iowa. I received 2,912 votes.

By the time of the general election, I was no longer actively campaigning. This article exists to document why.

Why I Entered the Race

I did not seek the position independently. I ran because the local Democratic Party asked me to run. Benton County has approximately 3,400 registered Democrats, making a Democratic win unlikely under normal circumstances.

At the time, I was known locally as a progressive activist. That created tension with party leadership, which favored a more cautious and limited approach. Those differences existed prior to the election and never fully resolved.

Health Context

I have fibromyalgia, a chronic neurological condition that affects pain processing, energy levels, and cognitive function. Symptoms include persistent pain without visible injury, fatigue not relieved by rest, and cognitive impairment commonly referred to as “fibro fog.”

The condition is permanent and is exacerbated by stress and physical strain. This was known to party leadership during the campaign.

Employment and Forced Relocation

During the campaign, I was employed by a private company under a nondisclosure agreement, which I continue to honor. While employed there, a work-related incident aggravated an existing medical condition. Shortly thereafter, I was terminated.

The loss of employment also resulted in the loss of housing. I was forced to relocate due to financial necessity. This disruption removed the logistical foundation required to continue an in-person county-level campaign.

Party Response

Rather than addressing the underlying circumstances, party figures criticized me for discussing health issues on a private social media account. I was accused of “playing the victim.” No formal inquiry into my condition, employment loss, or housing instability followed.

Support diminished without explanation.

Breakdown of Remaining Support

A contact who had provided informal assistance regarding legal and campaign-related matters withdrew entirely following a brief disagreement over scope and expectations. No follow-up occurred.

This effectively ended any remaining institutional support.

Conclusion

I did not end my campaign due to lack of interest or effort. I lost my job due to illness-related complications, was forced to relocate, and no longer had the stability required to continue campaigning.

Despite this, 2,912 voters cast ballots for me in the 2018 general election.

This article is presented as a factual record of events.

For More Social Commentary

For more social commentary, see Occupy 2.5 at https://Occupy25.com.

Archive Statement

This article will be archived as part of the WPS News Archives and made available through Amazon.

APA Citation

Potts, C. (2026, November 3). Why I wasn’t running: The record of the 2018 Benton County Recorder race. WPS News. Based on official Benton County, Iowa, 2018 general election results.