Brenna Bird says Iowans want an AG who 'backs the blue'
Aug. 24—Continuing her mission of meeting with as many law enforcement leaders in the state, Brenna Bird, the Republican candidate for Iowa attorney general, met with Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty on Aug. 18 to discuss the challenges facing public safety. Bird said relationship building is important to her and her campaign.
"One important thing that we need to do as we are backing the blue and we are supporting law enforcement, as attorney general I want to build a relationship with sheriffs, police chiefs and other law enforcement so that we can work together," Bird later told Newton News in a one-on-one interview.
Bird said Halferty spoke about some things that would be helpful to his agency and other law enforcement organizations, whether it be training or recruitment. In a press release from Bird's campaign, Halferty called Bird a strong advocate for Iowa law enforcement who is committed to keeping communities safe.
"As a candidate for Iowa attorney general, I appreciate that she took the time to seek out our office, and have an open dialogue about the challenges we face," Halferty said. In the release, it was also noted that Rep. Jon Dunwell joined the discussion on between the sheriff and attorney general candidate.
Bird has served as the county attorney for Guthrie County since 2018. If elected, Bird said she will support law enforcement and "back the blue." She will also file lawsuits to push back against the federal government — specifically the Biden administration — when they "go too far."
Specifically, Bird targeted COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the Environmental Protection Agency's regulations, suggesting they will negatively affect agriculture.
But Iowans also believe in a message that supports law enforcement, Bird added, and many are looking for change. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller was first elected in 1994 and is considered the longest-serving attorney general in United States history. Miller is seeking his eleventh, four-year term in office.
Although state attorneys general are the top legal officers in the state and can advise their legislature, they may also propose legislation. Bird wants to establish a cold case unit in the attorney general's office, which would largely investigate unsolved homicides. It is important those people be brought to justice, she said.
"We're one of few states that doesn't have one of those," Bird said. "And we should have one. And the other thing I would do is also have a special victims unit to help focus on those kinds of cases. (It would be) within the (attorney general's) office."
Attorneys general are also considered the "people's lawyer." Bird said the No. 1 thing that makes her qualified for that title is her work ethic. She said she will work hard and believes in being in all 99 counties and be someone who is always working for justice.
"My overall approach can be summed up in this: Do the right thing always," Bird said. "And then everything flows from that. The second piece is that we serve Iowans. So that's why I talk about the importance of being throughout Iowa and building relationships with law enforcement. We have to build those relationships so we can best serve those communities."
Bird claimed there are many people in law enforcement, including sheriffs and police chiefs, have never met the state's current attorney general.
"That tells me there's lots of room for improvement and there are some good things we can do when we start working together," Bird said.
Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com
