Washington Co. Attorney to resign

WASHINGTON — In the last hours of the workweek in 2022, Iowa Attorney General-elect Brenna Bird announced her office’s plans to hire Washington County Attorney John Gish as Assistant Attorney General for Victim Services. Gish will lead the office which administers funding, training, advocacy, outreach and coordination of victim services and support throughout Iowa, according to the news release.

“I’m excited about the incredible team we’re forming of talented individuals to serve the people of Iowa,” Bird said in a statement. “Our team is composed of critical thinkers, who bring with them a wealth of diverse legal experience and shared vision of service. Together, our team will work tirelessly to get criminals off the streets, seek justice for victims of crime, and uphold the rule of law.”

Gish said he had not sought out the role, but was asked to apply by state officials. He said it was an honor to accept.

“Ultimately, having the chance to work in a leadership role at the state Attorney General’s Office is a pretty big deal,” Gish said. “The victim services program for Iowa, that program was one of Brenna’s cornerstones for her campaign, something that she really wanted to emphasize as Attorney General, really do everything we can to support victims in Iowa, and that’s something we care a lot about.”

Still, the decision was not an easy one for Gish, who said there were many variables to consider.

“This was nearly impossible for me to decide,” he said. “It’ll be six years for me, this month, as county attorney, and I’ve really loved it. I appreciate the community. I’ve already shed a few tears over this departure, just because that’s how much that office and the people here mean to me. People have been very gracious and supportive of my family, and I won’t forget that.”

An official start date was not yet available as of Monday morning, but Gish said he expected to spend “roughly four more weeks” as Washington County Attorney, moving to the state level around the end of January.

The move comes as something of a surprise. Gish swore in for a new term as county attorney Dec. 20. He said it was the same morning he’d received an offer from the state, but before he’d reached a decision about taking it.

“I would like to stay until a replacement is named, but there’s just so much for me to do in Des Moines,” he said. “I probably won’t be around when a replacement starts, but that depends on how quickly we can get things working with the Board of Supervisors.”

Gish plans to move to Des Moines once he starts the position, and said his family planned to join after the school year ends.

The replacement process for Gish’s county position will fall to the Washington County Board of Supervisors, who can either appoint a replacement or schedule a special election to fill the role. The item was not listed on a tentative agenda for the board’s Jan. 3 regular meeting.

Iowa Capitol Dispatch reported Dec. 30 that the state’s Attorney General Office had asked 19 staff members to resign as Bird prepares to take office. Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, director of the Crime Victim Assistance Division, was among them.

“It has been a singular honor to serve the people of Iowa, and specifically victims of crime, as part of this Division and I hope that its groundbreaking and pivotal work continues unabated,” Murphy said in her resignation letter.

Iowa Capitol Dispatch’s Jared Strong contributed to this report.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com