Iowa County Official Admits Using Racial Slur During Public Meeting

Supervisor Steve Wanders says he has used the offensive term for years in his farming operation.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:21pm

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A county supervisor in Mahaska County, Iowa, Steve Wanders, used a racial slur during a public meeting while discussing the HVAC system in a county-owned building. Wanders said he has used the offensive term for years and didn't realize it was inappropriate, though other supervisors present did not speak up about it at the time.

Why it matters

The use of racial slurs by public officials during official meetings raises concerns about the lack of accountability and the normalization of such language, even in professional settings. This incident highlights the need for better training and policies around appropriate conduct for elected representatives.

The details

During a March 4 public meeting, Wanders referred to the HVAC system in a county-owned building as "n*****rigged", a derogatory term. When asked about it later, Wanders said he wasn't speaking derogatorily about Black people, but that it was a phrase he had used for years in his farming operation. Other supervisors present at the meeting heard the slur but did not address it at the time.

  • The incident occurred during a public meeting on March 4, 2026.
  • Wanders was asked about the slur in the days following the meeting.

The players

Steve Wanders

A county supervisor in Mahaska County, Iowa, who used a racial slur during a public meeting.

Chuck Webb

A fellow county supervisor who heard the slur but did not address it at the time.

Madison Garden

The Mahaska County Auditor, who said she did not notice Wanders using the slur.

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What they’re saying

“The heating and air conditioning in that building is all chopped up because it used to be a grocery store, so it's just kind of what I call n*****rigged, whatever you want to call it.”

— Steve Wanders, County Supervisor

“In our farming operation, that's what we call a lot of stuff. It's just a phrase, we say it all the time. To me, that's what it is.”

— Steve Wanders, County Supervisor

“I heard it. I didn't bring any attention to it because I didn't think I wanted to. We haven't heard from anybody else.”

— Chuck Webb, County Supervisor

“It didn't register for me that he said it. I would certainly never say anything like that.”

— Madison Garden, County Auditor

What’s next

It is unclear if any formal disciplinary action will be taken against Wanders for his use of the racial slur during the public meeting.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better training and accountability for elected officials when it comes to appropriate conduct and the use of offensive language, even if it is claimed to be commonplace in certain contexts. Public meetings should be held to a higher standard of professionalism and respect.