Vander Sanden files to run for Linn County Attorney

Jerry Vander Sanden filed papers Monday to run for Linn County Attorney in November.

Vander Sanden, the assistant county attorney in charge of the criminal division, will run to replace his boss, Harold Denton, who won't run for re-election after eight years as county attorney and 35 years in the Linn County Attorney's office.

Vander Sanden, who has worked in the county attorney's office since 1983 and has prosecuted felonies since 1986, promised to focus on his energy on bringing violent criminals to justice, improve communication with police and making himself more publicly visible than his predecessors.

“I'm not going to completely reshuffle the deck,” Vander Sanden, a Democrat, said. “But if I do get elected, my main priority is going to be the prosecution of violent crimes. I think the public expects our best effort to be concentrated on crimes of violence.”

Vander Sanden, 53, has lived in the Cedar Rapids area since 1969, went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and earned a law degree from the University of Iowa. He now lives in southeast Cedar Rapids. He and his wife Denise have three children.

Vander Sanden prosecuted James Hall, who was convicted of strangling Susan Hajek in her southeast Cedar Rapids home in 1992. He also won a conviction against Stephen Keyes on two counts of first-degree murder for setting the December 1996 fire that killed Keyes' wife and son. Most recently, Vander Sanden handled the prosecution of Jose Rockiett, the youth who attacked and injured Officer Tim Davis in March 2009. Rockiett pleaded guilty and will be sentenced March 19.

No opponent has yet filed papers to run against Vander Sanden - either in the June 8 primary or the November election. Monday was the first day to file nomination papers for county races. The deadline is March 31.

“I've been surprised, I guess, in my time in the county attorney's office, how few people know who the county attorney is,” Vander Sanden said. “I think the county attorney should play a leadership role in the community, and be a bit more assertive.”

The low-key Denton wouldn't say Monday whether he'll finish his term.

“I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet,” he said. “I could retire early, yes.”

Denton was appointed interim county attorney in September 2002 after his predecessor, Denver Dillard, was appointed district judge. Denton won the 2002 election over Pat Shey two months later.