Shall Samantha J. Gronewald be retained in office as a District 5C District Judge?
Source: electionresults.iowa.gov
What does this office do?
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Housing Affordability,
Samantha J. Gronewald
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · Official site
Samantha J. Gronewald has been a district court judge in Polk County since December 2017. Before that, she worked as a lawyer in private practice. She holds a law degree from Drake University.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Voters in Polk County kept her as a district judge in the 2020 retention vote, with 73.7% voting yes (114,794 yes to 40,994 no).
November 3, 2020
Source: sos.iowa.gov
Removed herself from former state agent Larry Hedlund's wrongful-firing lawsuit against the state, a month after the governor appointed her. She did not give a reason.
January 11, 2018
Source: seattletimes.com
Governor Kim Reynolds appointed her a district court judge for Polk County (District 5C). She filled the seat of Judge Mary Pat Gunderson.
December 1, 2017
Source: seattletimes.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 1 favorable
In the Iowa State Bar Association's 2020 lawyer survey, 97% of the 185 lawyers who rated her said she should be kept as a judge.
September 28, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: nebula.wsimg.com
Sources: polkcountyiowa.gov2