Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
If Pres. Barack Obama agrees with Sen. Tom Harkin’s recommendation for the next U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, a former law clerk in that district will return to run the show.
Nick Klinefeldt, a Des Moines defense attorney, served as a clerk in the office of U.S. District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt for two years before moving to Massachusetts. While there he worked first as a clerk for Chief Justic Christopher Armstrong on the Massachusetts Court of Appeals before taking on first- and second-chair responsibilities in the Kelly, Libby & Hoopes law firm.
“I’m extremely thankful for the confidence Sen. Harkin has expressed by giving me his recommendation,” Klinefeldt told Iowa Independent by phone Friday evening. “I’m also extremely thankful for all of those who supported me.”
Klinfeldt added that if the Obama administration nominates him for the post, he will look forward to and be “excited about the upcoming Senate confirmation process.”
Most recently Klinefeldt has served as an associate with the Ahlers & Cooney law firm in Des Moines. He is a volunteer with Iowa Legal Aid and a member of the Criminal Justice Act panel for the Southern District of Iowa, through which he has handled court-appointed federal cases.
“Mr. Klinefeldt’s experiences in the federal criminal system give him the good judgement to use fairly the extensive discretion given to U.S. Attorneys as the district’s chief law enforcement officer,” Harkin said. “He fully understands how decisions made by federal prosecutors can affect the lives of crime victims, defendants, families and neighborhoods throughout the state.”
Harkin added that Klinefeldt is committed to bringing a renewed sense of integrity to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“[He] has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the principles of due process and equal justice under the law,” Harkin said. “He will work to implement the changes needed to restore integrity and revitalize confidence in a fair judicial system.”
Since 2006 Klinefeldt has served as general counsel for the Iowa Democratic Party. He also served as the chief legal officer for the Obama for America campaign in Iowa. He also has close ties to Harkin, having served first as a summer intern for the senator, then on his re-election campaign and finally on staff.
Despite these ties to Democrats, Harkin says that Klinefeldt is supported by both Democrats and Republicans.
“These individuals support his recommendation for this position without regard to party affiliation because they are aware of his dedication to vigorously enforce our nation’s federal laws while pursing justice,” Harkin said.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Klinefeldt will replace Matt Whitaker, who was nominated by Pres. George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June 2004.
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