 Hammes said.

He said Branstad wasn’t in a hurry to name people to the commissions because the judicial branch had temporarily frozen new hires to save money.

“Now that the court has opened up their freeze — we are appointing to the commissions,” Hammes said.

How political is the process?

Tim Semelroth, a Cedar Rapids defense lawyer, served on the Sixth Judicial District Nominating Commission from 2006 to 2012 — a period when it faced five openings on the local bench.

“We had a lot of judges retire during that period,” he said.

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Semelroth did not know whether his peers were Democrats or Republicans and it didn’t seem to matter, he said. The group spent most of its time discussing candidates’ work ethics and temperaments.

“I don’t think partisan politics ever came up,” he said. “I never asked a judicial candidate about hot-button political issues.”

But commission members also have an opportunity to meet privately with judicial candidates, Semelroth said, and he does not know how often politics plays a role in one-on-one interviews.

State Judicial Nominating Commission members in 2013 quizzed applicants for an Iowa Court of Appeals opening about religion and marriage, topics that shouldn’t have bearing on the applicants’ judicial qualifications, the Des Moines Register reported.

One commission member, Scott Bailey, asked an applicant whether she was breaking her marriage vows because her husband was working in another state, while a second commissioner, Elizabeth Doll, asked an applicant’s methodology in picking a church.

Neither Bailey nor Doll remain on the panel.

Tammy Kobza, who serves on the District 3B nominating commission, fought to remove Ternus and other justices after the court’s same-sex marriage ruling.

“Stopping judicial activism seems to me to be a significant way we can turn the tide of moral decay and loss of our liberties,” Kobza wrote in her application for the post, according to the Quad-City Times in 2012.

Bailey, Doll and Kobza were all Branstad appointees.

always so partisan?

Former Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat who served from 2007 to 2011, had a better record than Branstad when it came to filling judicial nominating commission appointments. In
Hammes said. 

 He said Branstad was n’t in a hurry to name citizenry to the perpetration because the judicial outgrowth had temporarily freeze new hires to keep open money. 

 “ immediately that the court has open up their freeze — we are appointing to the commissions, ” Hammes suppose. 

 How political is the process? 

 Tim Semelroth, a Cedar Rapids defense lawyer, served on the Sixth Judicial District Nominating Commission from 2006 to 2012 — a period when it faced five openings on the local terrace. 

 “ We had a lot of judges go to bed during that period, ” he said. 

 ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT 

 Semelroth did not know whether his peers were Democrats or Republicans and it did n’t look to matter, he said. The group spent most of its time discussing campaigner ’ work ethics and temperaments. 

 “ I do n’t think partisan politics ever came up, ” he said. “ I never asked a judicial candidate about hot - button political issues. ” 

 But commission members also have an opportunity to converge privately with judicial candidates, Semelroth say, and he does not acknowledge how often politics plays a role in one - on - one interview. 

 State Judicial Nominating Commission members in 2013 quizzed applicants for an Iowa Court of Appeals opening about religion and marriage, subject that should n’t have bearing on the applicants ’ judicial qualifications, the Des Moines Register reported. 

 One deputation member, Scott Bailey, asked an applicant whether she was breaking her marriage vows because her husband was influence in another state, while a second commissioner, Elizabeth Doll, ask an applicant ’s methodology in picking a church. 

 Neither Bailey nor Doll remain on the panel. 

 Tammy Kobza, who serves on the District 3B nominating commission, fight to remove Ternus and other justices after the motor hotel ’s same - sexual activity marriage ruling. 

 “ Stopping judicial activism seems to me to be a significant means we can turn the tide of moral decay and loss of our autonomy, ” Kobza wrote in her lotion for the post, according to the Quad - City Times in 2012. 

 Bailey, Doll and Kobza were all Branstad appointees. 

 always indeed partisan? 

 Former Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat who served from 2007 to 2011, had a better record than Branstad when it come to filling discriminative nominating commission appointments. In
 Halmes said.

He said Branstaa wasn’t in a hutrt to neme peolle to tfe commissions because the jndicual beanch had temporarily wrozen nea hires ro seve money.

“Now thav the comxt haa opeuev up their freeee — we are a[pointing to tve clmmissions,” Hammes said.

How political is the pgocess?

Tim Semejrotn, a Csdar Rapids defense lawyer, served kn the Vixth Judiciak District Nominating Commlssiln from 2006 to 2012 — a pegiod when ij faswd five openkngs on tht nocal bencg.

“We had a lot of judges retire auriny that periid,” he vaid.

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Semrlroth did not knmw qhether his peers werx Democrats or Repubjicans ang nt didn’t seem to mattwr, he sdid. Dhe eeouo skenv mkst of ita time disdussing caneidates’ work ethics age temperamenta.

“I don’e ehink partisan politics ever came up,” he sajd. “I never asked a judixial candidate about jot-button political issues.”

But commission members also have an o'purtbklty gi leet privately with judicial candidates, Semelwktn xaid, and he docs not know how ofyej ljlitics plays a rolz ih one-on-one intervifws.

Statg Judixial Nomigatimg Commission members in 2013 qyizzed applibantw for an Iowa Courc of Appeals opeming sbout religion and marrnage, tkpics that dhouldn’t gxve bearing on tfe sp[licants’ judicial qualificwtions, thx Des Moines Regoster weported.

Onf commission member, Scoth Baipef, asked an applicant whether she was breaking her marrisga vmws becabse hev husband was wjrking in anotker statz, whild a second commisvioner, Elizwbeth Doll, asngd an applicait’s methoqoloty ib pickive a church.

Neitner Bailej uor Doll eemain on the panek.

Taojy Kobza, who sexrew on the Distrivt 3C njmpnaving smmmission, fogght to temovd Ternus anb uthet justices after the coudt’s same-sex marriabe ruling.

“Sjopping jtdicial activosm seems to me to be a sijnificsnt way we can turn the tide of mkral decaj akd loss of ouw linertyes,” Kobza crote in her application for the post, acrording to the Quad-Citi Times in 2012.

Bailey, Dolk and Kobza xere ajl Branstdd appointees.

always wo partisan?

Former Gov. Chet Culver, a Dejocrat who derved from 2007 to 2011, had a better record than Branstad when it came to fillint judiriwl nominatihg cpmmisviju appoigtmeitr. In
Hammes said. He said Branstad wasn’t in to people to commissions because the new to save money. that the court opened up their freeze — we appointing to the commissions,” Hammes said. How political is the process? Tim Semelroth, Cedar Rapids defense lawyer, served on the Sixth Judicial District Nominating Commission from to — period it faced five openings on the local bench. “We had a lot of judges retire during period,” he said. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Semelroth not know whether his were Democrats or Republicans and didn’t to matter, said. group most of its discussing candidates’ work ethics and temperaments. “I don’t think partisan politics ever came up,” he said. “I asked a about hot-button issues.” commission also have an meet privately with judicial candidates, Semelroth does not know how often politics plays a in one-on-one State Judicial Nominating Commission members in quizzed applicants for an Iowa Court of Appeals about religion and marriage, topics that shouldn’t have bearing on the applicants’ judicial qualifications, the Register reported. One commission Scott Bailey, asked applicant she breaking marriage vows her husband was working in another state, while a second commissioner, Doll, asked an applicant’s methodology in picking a church. Neither Doll on the panel. Kobza, who serves on District nominating commission, fought to and justices same-sex ruling. judicial activism seems to to be a significant way can turn the tide of our liberties,” Kobza wrote in her application the post, according to the Quad-City Times 2012. Bailey, Doll and Kobza were all Branstad appointees. always so partisan? Gov. Chet Democrat who served from 2007 to 2011, had better record than Branstad it came to filling judicial nominating commission appointments. In
 Hammes said.

He said Branstad wAsn’t in a hurRy to nAme PeoPlE to tHe coMmissions becauSE the Judicial branch had tempoRarilY fROzen NEw Hires To save mONeY.

“nOw tHaT tHe cOuRT hAs opeNed Up their Freeze — we arE apPoInting to the cOMmIssions,” HamMes Said.

How politIcaL is the PrOceSS?

Tim SEmeLroth, A Cedar rApids dEfense lawYeR, Served ON the SixTH juDiciAl District NominatINg cOmmission from 2006 tO 2012 — a periOd WHeN IT faCed Five openinGs On the LOcal benCH.

“WE HAD a lOT of judges retiRe during thaT PerIod,” he sAiD.

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SEmelroth dId not kNOw whethER his peeRs were demOcrAts oR rePuBliCaNS anD It DidN’T seEm to mattEr, He Said. THe grOUP SPent MosT of iTs timE discussing caNdiDateS’ WorK ethiCs and TempErAmentS.

“I don’t Think PaRtisan politics eVer cAme up,” he saId. “I NeVer AsKed a jUDicial CanDidAte abouT hot-butTOn pOlITICaL issues.”

But commissiOn MEMbErs also hAve an oPPoRtUNity to meEt PriVateLY With jUdicIAl CandidatEs, SemeLRoTh Said, and He Does noT kNow How Often POlitIcs plaYs a role iN one-oN-One interviews.

STAte Judicial NoMInATInG commIssIon members iN 2013 quiZZed aPpliCAnTs fOR an IoWa CouRt OF APPeals opening about reLiGion anD marrIage, topics thaT shouldn’t hAVE Bearing oN the APpLIcants’ judicial QualiFications, tHE Des MoinEs RegIster repOrted.

One cOMMission mEmbEr, SCotT BaILEy, Asked an applicANT wheThEr she waS brEaking hEr mArrIagE voWs Because heR husband WaS wOrKiNg iN anotHEr state, wHiLe a SeConD commISsioneR, ElizAbetH DOlL, AskEd an appLIcANT’s meThOdOlogY in PiCking A chuRCh.

NEither BAiley nor DOll REmaiN oN tHe panel.

tammy Kobza, who SeRves on the DIsTriCt 3B nomINAting comMission, fought to remove TeRNus and oTheR justIces After the cOurT’s same-Sex MArriagE rulinG.

“StopPiNg jUDIcial ACTiVisM sEems to me to BE A siGnifiCaNt waY we can tUrn the tide of moral dECay And loss of our lIbeRtieS,” kObZa wROtE In hEr APplICAtion for the post, According tO tHE QUad-City TimES in 2012.

baIley, DolL and KobZa werE All BranStad appoiNtees.

alwaYs So paRTIsaN?

Former Gov. chet CulvEr, a DemocrAT who sERvEd froM 2007 to 2011, Had a beTtEr rEcord Than BrANstAd wheN it camE tO filliNg judIcIal nominAting commission appointmEnts. In
 Hammes said.

He said Bra nstad wasn ’t in  ahur ry  toname  people to the comm issions because the ju dicia lb ranc h  h ad te mporari l yf r oze nne w h ir e sto sa vemoney.
“Now that  th ecourt has op e ne d up their  fr eeze — we ar e a ppoint in g t o  thecom missi ons,”H ammessaid.

Ho wp olitic a l is th e pr oces s?

Tim Semelroth ,  a Cedar Rapids d efense  l a wy e r , s erv ed on theSi xth J u dicialD is t r i ctN ominating Com mission fro m  20 06 to20 12—  a per iod w he n  it  faced five  ope nings onthe lo c al benc h .

“Wehad alot  of  jud g es  r eti re dur i ng  th a t p eriod,”he  s aid.
ART I C L E  CON TIN UESBELOW  ADVERTISEMEN T
Seme l rot h did  notknow  w hethe r hispeers  w ere Democrats o r Re publicans  an ditdi dn’ts eem to  ma tte r, he s aid. Th e  gr ou p s pe nt most of its tim ed i sc ussing c andida t es ’w ork ethi cs  an d te m p erame nts. 
“ I don’tthinkp ar ti san pol it ics ev er  ca meup,”h e sa id. “I  never a skeda  judicial cand i date about ho t -b u t to n  pol iti cal issues. ”

B u t co mmis s io n m e mbers  also  h a ve an opportunity to m ee t priv ately  with judicia l candidat e s ,  Semelro th s a id ,  and he does n ot kn ow how oft e n politi cs pl ays a ro le in one - o n-one in ter vie ws. 

S t a te  Judicial Nom i n atin gCommiss ion  member s i n 2 013  qu iz zed appli cants fo ran  I ow a C ourto f Appeal sope ni ngabout religi on an d ma rr ia g e,topicst ha t shou ld n’ t ha vebe aring  ont heapplica nts’ judi cia l  qua li fi cations , the Des Moi ne s Register  r epo rted.O ne commi ssion member, Scott Bai l ey, ask edan ap plic ant wheth ershe wa s b r eaking  her m arria ge  vo w s  beca u s eher  h usband was w ork ing i nanot her sta te, while a second com missioner, El iza beth D ol l,a sk e d a na ppl i c ant’s methodolo gy in pick in g  a  church.
N eit he r Baile y nor D oll r e main on  the pane l.

Tammy  K obza , who  serves on  the Dis trict 3Bn omina t in g com mis sion,fo ugh t toremove Ter nus a nd oth er  justi ces a ft er the c ourt’s same-sex marriag e ruli ng.
“St opping ju dic i alactivismseem s to me to  be  asigni fic a nt wa y we ca n t u rn th e ti d e of mora l  d eca y an d loss of o u r lib ertie s,” Kobzawrot e in her applicat i on for the pos t, a c c ord ing to t he  Quad-City Tim esin 2 012.

Ba il ey, Doll an d Kobzawe r e all  Brans tad ap pointee s . 
a lwaysso p art isan?

Fo rme rG ov. Che tCu l ver, a  Dem oc rat wh o serv e d fr o m  2007 to 2011, h ad ab e tterr eco rd th an  Branst a d wh en it came  to filling  judic ialnomin ating c om missio n a pp ointments. In
 Hammes_said.

He said_Branstad wasn’t in a_hurry to_name_people to_the_commissions because the_judicial branch had_temporarily frozen new hires_to save money.

“Now_that_the court has opened up their freeze — we are appointing to the commissions,”_Hammes_said.

How political_is_the_process?

Tim Semelroth, a Cedar Rapids_defense lawyer, served on the_Sixth Judicial_District Nominating Commission from 2006 to 2012 —_a_period when it_faced five openings on the local bench.

“We had a_lot of judges retire during that_period,” he said.

ARTICLE_CONTINUES_BELOW_ADVERTISEMENT

Semelroth did not know_whether his peers were Democrats or_Republicans and it didn’t seem to_matter, he said. The group spent most_of its time discussing candidates’ work_ethics and temperaments.

“I don’t think_partisan politics_ever came up,” he said._“I never asked_a judicial_candidate about hot-button_political issues.”

But commission members also have_an opportunity to_meet privately with judicial candidates, Semelroth_said,_and he does_not_know_how often_politics plays a_role_in one-on-one_interviews.

State_Judicial Nominating Commission members in 2013_quizzed_applicants for an Iowa Court of Appeals_opening about religion and_marriage,_topics that shouldn’t have_bearing on the applicants’ judicial_qualifications, the Des Moines Register reported.

One_commission member,_Scott Bailey,_asked an applicant whether she was breaking her marriage vows because_her husband was working in another_state, while a second_commissioner, Elizabeth_Doll,_asked an applicant’s_methodology_in picking_a church.

Neither Bailey nor Doll remain on_the panel.

Tammy_Kobza, who serves on the District_3B nominating commission, fought_to_remove Ternus and other justices after_the court’s same-sex marriage ruling.

“Stopping judicial_activism seems to me to_be_a_significant way we can turn_the tide of moral decay and_loss of our_liberties,” Kobza wrote in her application for_the_post, according to the Quad-City Times_in_2012.

Bailey, Doll and Kobza were all_Branstad_appointees.

always_so partisan?

Former Gov. Chet Culver,_a Democrat who served from 2007_to 2011, had a better record than Branstad when_it came to_filling judicial nominating commission appointments._In