In a report by Iowa Public Radio, Governor Reynolds admitted that she broke the law in appointing a district court judge. In response to questions about the appointment Reynolds admits, “I didn’t get the phone call made.”
The state Constitution gives a governor 30 days to fill a judicial opening. Reynolds didn’t announce her appointment of a District 6 judge until four days after the deadline passed. Reynolds didn’t have an answer as to why this announcement was made four days after the deadline passed. Instead, just saying, “I don’t know. I can’t tell you.”
This isn’t the first time Reynolds has been in murky waters with the law as Governor. In January, she was sued for illegally transferring $13 million out of the state’s economic emergency fund to avoid calling a special legislative session to balance the budget.
This news comes in the midst of a week of bad headlines and questions about ethical practices for Governor Reynolds, including campaign contributions she received from a Managed Care Organization that she gave raises to.
“Reynolds’ only defense of this was that she was ‘on the road’ and ‘busy,’” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price. “Apparently the Governor thinks the law doesn’t apply to her. It’s shameful to the office she holds and our state.”
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