New Reports Indicate Reynolds May Have Violated Constitution (Again) With Second Judicial Appointment
The Associated Press is reporting that the Iowa Judicial Branch is now tracking legal deadlines for two judge appointments made by Governor Reynolds. The new oversight follows a formal complaint about the missed deadline for the appointment of Judge Jason Besler and additional questions about the appointment of Judge Michael Jacobsen.

According to the Iowa constitution, the governor must make a judicial appointment within 30 days of the nominees being submitted to her office.

Governor Reynolds admitted to failing to notify Judge Besler in time because she was “too busy,” which raises questions about the constitutionality of Judge Bessler’s appointment and his rulings and Governor Reynold’s respect for Iowa’s laws. It also raises questions about whether an appointment letter and official appointment certificate were backdated in order to cover up Governor Reynold’s mismanagement.

Last week a former Iowa State Supreme Justice penned a column criticizing Governor Reynolds and her staff surrounding the appointment of Judge Besler saying “…the fact of the matter is the ball was dropped. When it comes to our legal system, there is no room for this sort of ambiguity.”

Now, new questions have arisen about the appointment of Judge Michael Jacobsen because Governor Reynolds appointed him 35 days after a nominating commission, the one that happens to include the governor’s father, officially submitted his name to her office. 

“The mismanagement of these judicial appointments is yet another example in a long line of Governor Reynolds operating as if she is above the law. The governor clearly made a mistake and then attempted to cover it up with vague excuses. It’s time for a new governor who will respect and comply with Iowa’s laws, which, frankly, seems like a ridiculously low bar that Governor Reynolds apparently cannot meet,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price.

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