RETENTION BATTLE: Justice Wiggins Targeted

The Iowa Republican Party chairman is calling on Iowans to remove an Iowa Supreme Court justice.

A.J. Spiker issued a statement on the upcoming retention vote of Justice David Wiggins, who faces a retention vote in November.

Wiggins was a member of the Iowa Supreme Court when it unanimously ruled that banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional in April of 2009.

In 2010, following a well-funded campaign by Christian conservative groups including The Family Leader, voters ousted three judges who were part of the decision during retention votes. Marsha Ternus, David Baker and Michael Streit left their seats on the last day of 2010.

Spiker’s statement says, “Just as Iowans successfully showed in 2010, it is again time to put a check on this power and reign in an activist judge from his position of misused authority. This is the only chance voters have to make their voice heard and we must take the opportunity to remove Justice Wiggins from his post and show him his arrogance and disregard for the law does indeed have consequences.”

Justice Wiggins issued the following statement in response Wednesday afternoon, “Our system is built on checks and balances between independent branches of government. Two of the branches are designed to be political.  It is unfortunate that Mr. Spiker apparently thinks that all three branches should be political. I have always viewed the role of the judiciary as limited and I am proud of my work in writing opinions and helping resolve the issues that are brought before the court.”

Following Spiker’s release, gay advocacy group One Iowa also released a response.

One Iowa Executive Director Donna Red Wing says, “This latest move by the Iowa Republican Party is an outrageious assault on our courts. By calling for the ousting of Justice Wiggins, they have made it clear that justice is not at th center of this campaign, Instead, it is politics at its worst.”