Branstad names Waterman, Mansfield, Zager to Iowa Supreme Court

Just announced…first of Branstad’s picks for the three openings on the Iowa Supreme Court:

Branstad names Thomas Waterman to the Iowa Supreme Court

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today at 2 p.m. appointed Thomas Waterman to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Gov. Branstad selected Waterman from the slate of nine candidates given to him by the Iowa Judicial Nominating Commission. By law, the governor is only allowed to choose justices from this list.

“It is the role of the judiciary in the state of Iowa to say what the law is, as applied to cases before the courts, rather than saying what the law should be,” said Branstad. “The separation of powers is central to our Iowa Constitution.”

Branstad said Waterman, of Pleasant Valley, brings private sector experience to the Supreme Court.

“My goal was to choose Supreme Court justices, from the available slate of candidates, who are most likely to faithfully interpret the laws and Constitution, and respect the separation of powers,” said Branstad.

Branstad names Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Edward Mansfield to the Iowa Supreme Court

(DES MOINES) –Gov. Terry E. Branstad today at 2:05 p.m. appointed Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Edward Mansfield to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Gov. Branstad selected Judge Mansfield from the slate of nine candidates given to him by the Iowa Judicial Nominating Commission. By law, the governor is only allowed to choose justices from this list.

“It is the role of the judiciary in the state of Iowa to say what the law is, as applied to cases before the courts, rather than saying what the law should be,” said Branstad. “The separation of powers is central to our Iowa Constitution.”

Branstad said Judge Mansfield, of Des Moines, brings both private practice experience and Court of Appeals knowledge to the Supreme Court.

“My goal was to choose Supreme Court justices, from the available slate of candidates, who are most likely to faithfully interpret the laws and Constitution, and respect the separation of powers,” said Branstad.

Branstad names Iowa District Court Judge Bruce Zager to the Iowa Supreme Court

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today at 2:10 p.m. appointed Iowa District Court Judge Bruce Zager to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Gov. Branstad selected Judge Zager from the slate of nine candidates given to him by the Iowa Judicial Nominating Commission. By law, the governor is only allowed to choose justices from this list.

“It is the role of the judiciary in the state of Iowa to say what the law is, as applied to cases before the courts, rather than saying what the law should be,” said Branstad. “The separation of powers is central to our Iowa Constitution.”

Branstad said Judge Zager, of Waterloo, brings both private practice experience and District Court knowledge to the Supreme Court.

“My goal was to choose Supreme Court justices, from the available slate of candidates, who are most likely to faithfully interpret the laws and Constitution, and respect the separation of powers,” said Branstad.