Iowa Supreme Court: Bisignano Can Run

DES MOINES -- A Des Moines man with a second-offense drunk driving conviction can seek political office, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Tuesday afternoon.

Tony Bisignano was convicted of second-offense drunk driving, which his Democratic primary opponent, Ned Chiodo, challenged would disqualify his opponent from running for office. Chiodo claimed the conviction would fit the definition of an infamous crime under the Iowa Constitution.

The state's highest court upheld the decision of both a district court and state elections panel. However, two concurring justices said although they agree Bisignano should not be kept off the ballot, the court's conclusion didn't offer a clear definition that could lead to future litigation over voting rights.

Justice David Wiggins wrote the dissenting opinion stating the majority opinion is 'rewriting nearly one hundred years of caselaw” and could lead the court into 'uncharted waters” in future cases involving 'infamous crime.”

The court indicated the ruling applies only to second-offense drunken driving and future court cases will further determine which felonies might fall under the definition of an 'infamous crime.”

State Attorney General Tom Miller, a member of the three-state panel, noted at their ruling in March that not allowing Bisignano to run for office due to an 'infamous crime” would mean thousands of Iowans could be stripped of their voting rights.

Both Chiodo and Bisignano are seeking the state Senate seat vacated by Sen. Jack Hatch, who is running for governor.