Senator Roby Smith, Senator Jim Carlin, Senator Chris Cournoyer, Senator Adrian Dickey, Senator Jason Shultz, Senator Dan Zumbach, Former Senator Zach Whiting, Rep. Brooke Boden, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, Rep. Carter Nordman and Rep. Jeff Shipley
v.
Iowa District Court for Polk County
In this certiorari action, several nonparty state legislators seek review of the district court’s order compelling them to produce their communications with third parties about two recently enacted election laws. The legislators argue the district court breached the separation of powers by piercing legislative privilege to order the legislators to comply with a subpoena for legislative documents. The legislators further argue that compelling production of communications received by the legislators violates the public’s privacy interests and rights under article I, section 20, of the Iowa Constitution.
Plaintiff
Senator Roby Smith, Senator Jim Carlin, Senator Chris Cournoyer, Senator Adrian Dickey, Senator Jason Shultz, Senator Dan Zumbach, Former Senator Zach Whiting, Rep. Brooke Boden, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, Rep. Carter Nordman and Rep. Jeff Shipley
Defendant
Iowa District Court for Polk County
Attorneys for the Plaintiff
W. Charles Smithson, Legal Counsel and Secretary of the Senate
Eric H. Wessan, Solicitor General
Tessa Register
Attorneys for the Defendant
Shayla McCormally
Uzoma N. Nkwonta
Melinda K. Johnson
William K. Hancock
Alexander F. Atkins
David R. Fox
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Sep 14, 2023 9:00 AM
