Meet the three candidates running for Dallas County attorney

Three candidates are running for Dallas County attorney.

Ronald Forsell and Matt Schultz are running in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Meggan Guns in the general election.

Longtime assistant attorney Jeannine Ritchie was appointed county attorney in 2022 to replace Chuck Sinnard, whom Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed as a district judge. She is not running for election.

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

The primary election is scheduled for June 4 ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

More: Early voting has started for Iowa's June 4 primary election. Here's what you should know:

Who is Ronald Forsell?

Age: 34

Party: Republican

Current town of residence: Waukee

Education: Bachelor's degree with honors, Buena Vista University; Juris Doctor, Drake Law School

Occupation: First assistant Dallas County attorney

Political experience and civic activities: Political: chair, Dallas County Republican Party, 2018-2021; fundraising chair, Dallas County Republican Party, 2016-2018. Volunteer for numerous campaigns. Civic: coach of ABA Arbitration Team at Drake Law School, board member of Iowa County Attorney's Association

Who is Meggan Guns?

Age: 39

Party: Democrat

Current town of residence: West Des Moines

Education: Bachelor of Arts in business management, Spanish and legal studies from Loras College, 2006; Juris Doctor and MBA from Drake University, 2009

Occupation: Assistant Polk County attorney, and former assistant Dallas County attorney

Political experience and civic activities: New to politics! Currently on the board of directors for both the Friends of West Des Moines Parks and Rec and the Iowa SAFE Center; member of Central Iowa CSEC MDT (addressing child sexual exploitation and human trafficking) and a Child Neglect work group; member of the Dallas County Bar Association since 2010; former member of the 5A Judicial Nomination Commission (2016-2022)

Who is Matt Schultz?

Age: 44

Party: Republican

Current town of residence: Urbandale

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

Occupation: Attorney

Political experience and civic activities: I was elected and served on the Council Bluffs City Council from 2005-2011; I was elected and served as Iowa Secretary of State from 2011-2014; I was elected Madison County attorney and served from 2015-2023. I also chaired the Rick Santorum, Ted Cruz, and Vivek Ramaswamy presidential campaigns. In 2016 I was elected chair of the Iowa delegation to the RNC Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, and announced the Iowa delegation vote for Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president. I am also an Eagle Scout and volunteered as a Scout Master and board member for the Mid-Iowa Council.

Why are you running?

Forsell: I am running for county attorney because experience matters. I have worked in the county attorney's office since 2015, and have experienced first-hand the growth and challenges that come with that growth. I have prosecuted every level of criminal offense, and am a trusted partner to our law enforcement officers in Dallas County who know that if they need anything or have any questions I am always available. The people of Dallas County deserve a county attorney who can hit the ground running day one and continue to make sure that the laws are fairly and justly enforced.

Guns: To ensure that Dallas County has an experienced trial attorney prosecutor at the helm, who will work closely with law enforcement to ensure continued community safety in the county in which I live and raise my family, and create a drug and mental health court to help non-violent offenders re-engage productively with our community.

Schultz: I am running for Dallas County attorney to fight to keep our community safe and to back the blue. Other candidates will tell you similar things, but I've actually done it. I'm the only candidate who has actually served as a county attorney and I have the reputation for being tough on crime. As county attorney I refused to give a plea deal to Alex Hoff for burning the Cedar Bridge in Winterset. He had no choice but to plead guilty as charged. In another case I went to trial and defended the reputation of a deputy sheriff who was being accused of assault, and I won. I want to bring that experience and fight to Dallas County. I will be tough on crime and back the blue.

What is the most important issue facing Dallas County and how would you address it in office?

Forsell: The biggest issue in the county is the massive growth we have experienced over the last decade. When I first started working here we may have had a trial every six weeks. Now myself or one of the other attorneys are in trial almost every week. Since becoming first assistant I have encouraged and helped train our newer attorneys to be able to try any case, and if they need to focus on a trial I will help to cover their caseload. That level of support allows the other attorneys to have the time needed to effectively try cases.

Guns: The rapid growth of Dallas County. As the county grows, the volume of crime inevitably grows with it. I will ensure that the county's services can efficiently grow to meet the demand; holding violent offenders responsible through vigorous prosecution, and finding solutions, such as diversion programs, to address non-violent offenders. I also want to ensure that the quality of law enforcement continues to stay on pace with what Dallas County residents expect and deserve: providing a voice to victims who are harmed while safeguarding 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 need for services and protection. The county attorney plays an important role in supporting law enforcement and protecting our community. This will continue to be a top priority for me as crime increases alongside the population growth. What isn't discussed much is the challenges growth creates with new zoning issues and developing communities. As a city councilman in Council Bluffs, I also experienced a community of rapid growth and managed to cut the city tax levy every year. As county attorney, I advised the Board of Supervisors, county commissions and departments on similar issues.

What trial experience have you had? How many and what kinds of cases have you prosecuted?

Forsell: I have tried approximately 40 jury trials, ranging from traffic tickets to first-degree murder. In the last few years I have specialized in violent felony cases and have tried robberies, burglaries, sexual assault, domestic abuse, drunk driving, and assault cases. In almost all of these trials I was either the lead prosecutor or tried the case solo. In terms of prosecution, I have prosecuted almost every criminal offense in the state of Iowa, including two murders (one of which had four co-defendants), attempted murders, robberies, burglaries, assaults, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, theft, forgery, and other felony and misdemeanor cases.

Guns: In Polk County, I have had almost 40 criminal jury trials, and had many more before that in my seven years in Dallas County. I have tried multiple homicide cases, sexual abuse cases of all levels, child pornography, domestic abuse, drug distribution and possession, trafficking of stolen weapons, burglaries, OWIs, child endangerment, assaults, traffic tickets … almost every type of case that a prosecutor could face in the state of Iowa. I can't think of a type of crime that I haven't prosecuted. I have also worked on civil dockets within the prosecution office, representing the county attorney responsibilities that many aren't aware of.

Schultz: I have had both civil and criminal jury trials in private practice and serving as county attorney. I have had murder, sexual assault, arson, drug, voter fraud, OWI, and other cases ranging from Class A felonies to simple misdemeanors. I have had multiple grand juries and have filed charges in hundreds of criminal cases. I have also tried multiple civil cases including children in need of assistance cases, zoning cases, and other civil litigation. I successfully represented Madison County in multiple zoning cases in District Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals. I have even defended the county in tax appeal cases. No candidate running for Dallas County Attorney has my experience.

How would you approach enforcing a new state law that makes reentry into Iowa a crime for someone who has previously been deported or denied entry into the United States?

Forsell: First, it's disappointing that the federal government has given up on enforcing immigration law and protecting the border, leaving it to states like Iowa and Texas to take the lead. As a prosecutor, I do not believe that I should pick and choose which laws to enforce. If any Dallas County law enforcement agency files a charge under this law and I believe we can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, we will prosecute the case and resolve it like any other case.

Guns: As a prosecutor, I take an oath to uphold the laws of the state of Iowa, but also to uphold the constitutions of both the state of Iowa and the United States. Assuming the law isn't enjoined upon enactment and that law enforcement even has the resources to enforce the law, I would work directly with them and city attorneys to ensure that any policies and procedures for enforcement of the law do not violate the constitutional rights of any person. In all cases, prosecutors have discretion in enforcement of the laws enacted, and weigh the rehabilitation of the defendant and the risk to the community to determine an appropriate disposition on a case-by-case basis.

Schultz: Illegal immigration is a huge problem in this country. The Democrats in power have encouraged illegal immigration and breaking of the law to win votes. This is one of the reasons as Iowa Secretary of State I fought for voter ID and referred more than 100 cases of voter fraud for prosecution. SF2340 makes it a crime and gives local law enforcement the ability to arrest individuals who have previously been excluded, removed, or deported from the United States. The law makes it a felony if the person was excluded or removed after being convicted of two or more misdemeanors involving drugs or any crimes against a person. I will enforce this law and do my part in protecting our community.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the three candidates running for Dallas County attorney