Governor Branstad has appointed 30 Iowans to the state Judicial Nominating Commission that selects judges for Iowa’s district courts — and many have direct links to the Iowa legislature. (See the entire list below.)
Two of the governor’s picks for the Judicial Nominating Commission used to serve in the state senate. Mark Zieman of Postville and Kitty Rehberg of Rowley are both Republicans. Another — Jerry Welter of Monticello — is a Republican who used to serve in the Iowa House.
Three others are spouses of current Republican legislators. David Boettger of Harlan is the husband of Nancy Boettger, a state senator. Catherine Miller-Sands of Wapello is the wife of Representative Tom Sands, a key figure in tax negotiations at the statehouse. Patricia McKinley is married to Senator Paul McKinley, who until November was the Republican leader in the state senate.
Another Branstad appointment to the Judicial Nominating Commission, Mary Sukup of Dougherty, is the spouse of Charles Sukup, former chairman of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. Ann Trimble-Ray of Early, another commission member, is a long-time aide to Congressman Steve King.
None of these appointments are subject to confirmation in the state senate and all take effect immediately.
The Judicial Nominating Commission submits three names to whomever is Iowa’s governor for openings on the district courts, and the governor must choose from that slate of names. A separate Judicial Nominating Commission selects nominees for openings on the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals. The way judges are appointed in Iowa came under fire after the Supreme Court ruling in 2009 that legalized gay marriage. Republicans blasted then-Democrat Governor Chet Culver and his predecessor, Democrat Tom Vilsack, for packing the commission with Democrats.
Here’s the full list of Branstad’s picks for the judicial nominatng commission:
Judicial Nominating Commission District 1A
Leola Harris, Hopkinton, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Mark Zieman, Postville, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 1B
David Hanson, Fayette, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Kathleen Rehberg, Rowley, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 2A
Ella Severs, Clarksville, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Mary Sukup, Dougherty, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 2B
Bill Horan, Rockwell City, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Ann Trimble-Ray, Early, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 3A
Janis Bowles, Spirit Lake, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Dr. Cody Hoefert, Rock Rapids, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Grace Ivey, Storm Lake, appointment through Jan. 31, 2016 (vacancy filled)Judicial Nominating Commission District 3B
Tammy Kobza, Ireton, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Rachel Raak Law, Correctionville, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 4
H. David Boettger, Harlan, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Robert Camblin, Atlantic, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 5A
Scott Bailey, Otley, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
James Butler, St. Charles, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 5B
Tracee Knapp, Redding, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Patricia McKinley, Chariton, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 5C
John Bloom, West Des Moines, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Ryan Koopmans, Des Moines, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 6
Alice De-Rycke, Belle Plaine, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Patricia Seebach, Dysart, appointment through Jan. 31, 2016 (vacancy filled)
John “Jerry” Welter, Monticello, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 7
Judy Davidson, Bettendorf, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Danette Hunt, Clinton, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 8A
Steven Berger, Wellman, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Keith Caviness, Ottumwa, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018Judicial Nominating Commission District 8B
Elizabeth Garrels, Mt. Pleasant, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018
Catherine Miller-Sands, Wapello, appointment through Jan. 31, 2018