Findley: Iowans need 'problem-solving' attorney general

CEDAR RAPIDS – Iowans need a “problem-solving lawyer on their side,” according to Brenna Findley, the Republican candidate for attorney general.

Findley, a Dexter attorney, is pushing a three-point plan of jobs, openness and transparency, and cleaning up scandals in state government.

Findley, 34 – the same age Attorney General Tom Miller when he was first elected three decades ago, acknowledges that jobs isn't typically seen as part of the attorney general's duties.

She can help by being a “problem-solving lawyer” on the state's economic development team. Findley wants to improve the litigation climate “so companies don't worry about being sued if the locate in Iowa.”

Secondly, she would use the attorney general's authority to object to job-killing regulations.

“We haven't heard (Miller) standing up for small businesses and jobs,” the former legal counsel to 5

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District Rep/ Steve King said.

Findley has a “big disagreement” with Miller's opinion a couple of years ago that government offices may charge Iowans up to $40 an hour for the time it takes to respond to a public records request.

“Those are public records,” she said. “The taxpayers have already paid for them and are entitled to them.”

She agrees government should be able to charge for the actual copies, but said charging people for time it takes a government office to determine whether it should honor the request is not justified.

It's unlikely, she said, time will be wasted complying with frivolous requests.

“Show me the problem,” Findley said. “It's important to remember who we work for.”

Findley wants the attorney general's office to be more aggressive in pursuing scandals in state government.

“I think people know it's time to clean house in state government,” she said. “It seems like there's a new (scandal) every week or month. I would investigate and hold people accountable. If we do that, not only will we bring those people to justice, it will also prevent future scandals.”

She realizes the attorney general contest is a down-ballot race, but is committed to a “shoe leather campaign” to get Iowans' support.

“My best qualification is I'm a hard worker,” Findley said. “I take the farm ethic to the campaign trail – work hard.”

And, she adds, a Republican wave starting with the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races wouldn't hurt.

For more, visit

www.findleyforiowa.com.