Meet the candidates running for Dallas County attorney in November's general election

Democrat Meggan Guns and Republican Matt Schultz are running for Dallas County attorney in the Nov. 5 general election.

Longtime assistant attorney Jeannine Ritchie was appointed county attorney in 2022 to replace Chuck Sinnard, whom Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed as a district judge. Ritchie is not running for election.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, Des Moines area legislative and local candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

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Who is Meggan Guns?

Age: 40

Party: Democratic

Where grew up: Dubuque

Current town of residence: West Des Moines

Education: Bachelor's from Loras College; Juris Doctor and MBA from Drake University

Occupation: Assistant Polk County attorney

Political experience and civic activities: I have not previously been involved in politics, but have a vested interest in the future of Dallas County. I am on the boards of directors for the SAFE Center of Iowa, the Friends of West Des Moines Parks and Rec; the steering committee for the Blank Children's STAR Center; a member of metropolitan multi-disciplinary team work groups to prevent ongoing child abuse and human trafficking. I've been a member of the Dallas County Bar Association since 2010 and I'm a former member of the 5A Judicial Nomination Commission (2016-2022). I've also coached local rec softball.

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Who is Matt Schultz?

Age: 45

Party: Republican

Where grew up: West Des Moines

Current town of residence: Urbandale

Education: I graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines. I earned an associate degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho; a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa; and a law degree from Creighton University. I passed the Iowa Bar in 2006.

Occupation: Attorney

Political experience and civic activities: I was elected and served on the Council Bluffs City Council from 2005-2011; I was elected and served as Iowa Secretary of State from 2011-2014; I was elected Madison County attorney and served from 2015-2023. I am also an Eagle Scout and volunteered as a Scout Master and board member for the Mid-Iowa Council. I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years in Argentina and speak Spanish fluently.

Why are you running?

Guns: To ensure that Dallas County has an experienced trial attorney prosecutor at the helm, who will work closely with law enforcement to ensure continued community safety in the county in which I live and raise my family, and create a drug and mental health court to help non-violent offenders re-engage productively with our community.

Schultz: I am running for Dallas County attorney to fight to keep our community safe and to Back the Blue. Other candidates will tell you similar things, but I've actually done it. I'm the only candidate who has actually served as a county attorney and I have the reputation for being tough on crime. As county attorney, I refused to give a plea deal to Alex Hoff for burning the Cedar Bridge in Winterset. He had no choice but to plead guilty as charged. In another case I went to trial and defended the reputation of a deputy sheriff who was being accused of assault, and I won. I want to bring that experience and fight to Dallas County. I will be tough on crime and Back the Blue.

What is the most important issue facing Dallas County and how would you address it in office?

Guns: The rapid growth of Dallas County. As the county grows, the volume of crime inevitably grows with it. I will ensure that the county's services can efficiently grow to meet the demand; holding violent offenders responsible through vigorous prosecution, and finding solutions, such as diversion programs, to address non-violent offenders. I also want to ensure that the quality of law enforcement continues to stay on pace with what Dallas County residents expect and deserve: providing a voice to victims who are harmed while safeguarding the constitutional rights of all citizens.

Schultz: Dallas County is the fastest growing county in the state of Iowa. With that growth comes an increase need for services and protection. As county attorney, supporting law enforcement and protecting our community will continue to be a top priority for me as crime increases alongside the population growth. What isn't discussed much is the challenges growth creates with new zoning issues and developing communities. As a city councilman in Council Bluffs, I also experienced a community of rapid growth and managed to cut the city tax levy every year. As county attorney, I advised the Board of Supervisors, county commissions and departments on similar issues.

What trial experience have you had? How many and what kinds of cases have you prosecuted?

Guns: I have personally conducted over 40+ criminal jury trials, ranging from murder 1st, kidnapping, sexual abuse, robbery, child endangerment, drug distribution, and weapons trafficking, to traffic and other simple misdemeanor trials. I have tried almost every type of case that can be tried by a prosecutor in the state of Iowa. I have also worked on civil dockets within the prosecution office, representing the county attorney responsibilities that many aren't aware of.

Schultz: I have had both civil and criminal jury trials in private practice and serving as county attorney. I have had murder, sexual assault, arson, drug, voter fraud, OWI, and other cases ranging from Class A felonies to simple misdemeanors. I have had multiple grand juries and have filed charges in hundreds of criminal cases. I have also tried multiple civil cases including children in need of assistance cases, zoning cases, and other civil litigation. I successfully represented Madison County in multiple zoning cases in District Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals. I have even defended the county in tax appeals. I am the most experienced candidate running for Dallas County attorney.

What new programs or initiatives would you advocate for under your leadership?

Guns: I would do what I can to begin a drug and mental health court for non-violent offenders, to intensely address the root cause of certain criminal behavior, rehabilitate offenders, and ensure that offenders have a good chance of success in the community. I also want to evaluate the need for designated civil attorneys within the office of the county attorney to more efficiently address the needs of other departments and elected officials.

Schultz: My number one goal as county attorney is to strengthen and protect Dallas County. All of my programs and initiatives will be centered around strengthening the relationships between the County Attorney's Office and law enforcement and focusing on victims of crimes. Our office will be more active and will bring more cases to trial. We will be more proactive in connecting victims with the services they need and taking a tough stance on crime. Additionally, under my leadership, our office will act more like the law firm for the county and provide more outreach to the county departments, boards, elected officials, and township trustees. We will take an active role in the civil litigation.

Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X at @pslifeisabeauty.  

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the candidates running for Dallas County attorney in November