New Washington County attorney swears in

WASHINGTON — Nathan Repp took an oath of office as Washington County Attorney Monday, officially completing the former Scott County Assistant Attorney’s appointment to the seat formerly filled by John Gish, who in January began work as the state’s Assistant Attorney General for Victim Services.

Repp will spend the next few weeks getting his bearings, with Acting County Attorney Anthony Janney scheduled for his last day in the office on May 12.

“There is a transition period,” Repp said. “Anything on the docket that’s pending, I’m just getting brought up to speed on everything that’s already in motion.”

With his first day in Washington under his belt, Repp said things were going well so far.

“I can’t say enough about how welcoming and supportive everyone has been, and I’m just really looking forward to getting started,” he said.

Repp was selected from three candidates interviewed by the Washington County Board of Supervisors in February, with the final decision coming under the wire at a special meeting in March, where decision-makers weighed his qualifications against Iowa Attorney General’s Office Staff Member Zachary Miller and Assistant Washington County Attorney Shane McChurch.

The new attorney’s term lasts until the next general election in 2024, at which point the position will go on the ballot. Former County Attorney John Gish entered office in a similar fashion with a vacancy-filling appointment from the Board of Supervisors, which he followed with a successful re-election campaign.

At a work session in January, Gish said it was the ideal way to select the local government’s legal expert.

“I think more lawyers will show interest in an appointment because that doesn’t take up too much effort and time away from their work and practice,” he said. “Whereas, if you do a special election, you’ll probably be getting just those who are willing to take the time to campaign, get petitions, signatures, and that kind of thing.”

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