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topicnews · September 16, 2024

Meet the candidates running for Dallas County District Attorney in November

Meet the candidates running for Dallas County District Attorney in November

Democrat Meggan Guns and Republican Matt Schultz are running for Dallas County District Attorney in the November 5 general election.

Longtime Assistant District Attorney Jeannine Ritchie was appointed District Attorney in 2022, replacing Chuck Sinnard, whom Governor Kim Reynolds appointed as District Judge. Ritchie is not running for election.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, legislative and local candidates running for political office this year. Their responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

More: Should the Dallas County Board of Supervisors be expanded to 5 members? Fall ballot issue

Who is Meggan Guns?

Age: 40

Party: democrat

Where grew up: Dubuque

Current place of residence: West Des Moines

Education: Bachelor from Loras College; Juris Doctor and MBA from Drake University

Profession: Deputy District Attorney of Polk County

Political experience and civic engagement: I have not been politically active before, but I have a keen interest in the future of Dallas County. I serve on the board of the SAFE Center of Iowa, the Friends of West Des Moines Parks and Rec, the steering committee of the Blank Children’s STAR Center, and am a member of multidisciplinary working groups in the metropolitan area to prevent ongoing child abuse and human trafficking. I have been a member of the Dallas County Bar Association since 2010 and a former member of the 5A Judicial Nomination Commission (2016-2022). I have also coached a local softball team.

Who is Matt Schultz?

Age: 45

Party: republican

Where grew up: West Des Moines

Current place of residence: Urbandale

Education: I graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines. I have an associate degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa, and a law degree from Creighton University. I was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 2006.

Profession: lawyer

Political experience and civic engagement: I was elected to the Council Bluffs City Council and served from 2005-2011; I was elected Iowa Secretary of State and served from 2011-2014; I was elected Madison County State’s Attorney and served from 2015-2023. I am also an Eagle Scout and have volunteered as a Scout Master and board member for the Mid-Iowa Council. I served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina for two years and am fluent in Spanish.

Why are you running?

Weapons: To ensure that Dallas County is led by an experienced prosecutor who will work closely with law enforcement to ensure ongoing public safety in the county where I live and raise my family, and to establish a drug and mental health court to help nonviolent offenders reintegrate into our community in productive ways.

Schultz: I’m running for Dallas District Attorney to fight for the safety of our community and to support the Blues. Other candidates will tell you similar things, but I actually did it. I’m the only candidate who has actually served as a district attorney, and I have a reputation for being tough on crime. As district attorney, I refused to offer Alex Hoff a plea deal for burning the Cedar Bridge in Winterset. He had no choice but to plead guilty to the charges. In another case, I went to trial and defended the reputation of a deputy sheriff charged with assault, and I won. I want to bring that experience and fight to Dallas County. I will be tough on crime and to support the Blues.

What is the most important issue facing Dallas County and how would you address it in your role as city official?

Weapons: Dallas County’s rapid growth. As the county grows, crime inevitably rises. I will ensure that the county’s services can efficiently expand to meet demand, holding violent offenders accountable through vigorous law enforcement, and finding solutions such as diversion programs for nonviolent offenders. I also want to ensure that the quality of law enforcement continues to keep pace with what the residents of Dallas County expect and deserve: giving a voice to victims who are harmed while protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens.

Schultz: Dallas County is the fastest growing county in the state of Iowa. With that growth comes an increase in the need for services and protection. As County Attorney, supporting law enforcement and protecting our community will continue to be my top priority as crime increases alongside population growth. What is not discussed much are the challenges that growth brings with new zoning and developing communities. As a city councilman in Council Bluffs, I also experienced rapid community growth and was able to reduce city tax revenues each year. As County Attorney, I advised the Board of Supervisors, county commissions and departments on similar issues.

What litigation experience do you have? How many and what kind of cases have you handled?

Weapons: I have personally tried over 40 criminal trials before juries, ranging from murder, kidnapping, sexual abuse, robbery, child endangerment, drug trafficking and gun smuggling to traffic and other low-level misdemeanors. I have tried almost every type of case that can be tried by a prosecutor in the state of Iowa. I have also worked on civil cases within the district attorney’s office, representing district attorney responsibilities that many are not aware of.

Schultz: I have tried both civil and criminal trials before juries, both in private practice and as a district attorney. I have tried cases involving murder, sexual assault, arson, drugs, election fraud, drunk driving, and other cases ranging from Class A felonies to simple misdemeanors. I have presided over several grand juries and indicted hundreds of criminal cases. I have also tried several civil trials, including indigent child cases, zoning cases, and other civil cases. I have successfully represented Madison County in several zoning cases in the Iowa District Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals. I have even defended the county in tax appeals. I am the most experienced candidate for Dallas District Attorney.

What new programs or initiatives would you support under your leadership?

Weapons: I would do everything in my power to establish a drug and mental health court for non-violent offenders to intensively address the root causes of certain criminal behaviors, rehabilitate offenders, and ensure they have a good chance of success in society. I would also like to examine the need for designated civil attorneys within the District Attorney’s Office to more effectively meet the needs of other departments and elected officials.

Schultz: My number one goal as District Attorney is to strengthen and protect Dallas County. All of my programs and initiatives will focus on strengthening relationships between the District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement and placing an emphasis on crime victims. Our office will be more active and bring more cases to trial. We will be more proactive in connecting victims with the services they need and take a tough stance on crime. Additionally, under my leadership, our office will operate more like the county attorney’s office and establish more contact with county offices, boards, elected officials and municipal administrators. We will play an active role in civil litigation.

Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or X at @pslifeisabeauty.

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