Obama (again) nominates Dubuque County sheriff as marshal

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) - President Barack Obama has nominated Dubuque County Sheriff Kenneth Runde to be U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Iowa.

Obama made the nomination to the Iowa position and six other districts Wednesday.

Runde served in the Marine Corps from 1972 to 1976, when he joined the sheriff's office. He rose through the ranks to reach his current position.

He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville and the University of Dubuque.

The Northern District of Iowa is based in Cedar Rapids.

The nomination must go before the U.S. Senate for confirmation.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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Kenneth Runde: Nominee for U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of IowaKenneth Runde is the Sheriff of Dubuque County, Iowa.  He joined the Sheriff's Office in 1976 and rose through the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to his current position.  He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 1976.  Sheriff Runde graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1982 and received an associate's degree from Pepperdine University in 1975.

Kenneth Runde is the Sheriff of Dubuque County, Iowa.  He joined the Sheriff's Office in 1976 and rose through the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to his current position.  He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 1976.  Sheriff Runde graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1982 and received an associate's degree from Pepperdine University in 1975.

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Previous article in 4/24/09 Gazette:

Dubuque sheriff nominated for U.S. Marshal

DUBUQUE -- Dubuque County Sheriff Ken Runde is excited about the prospect of serving as a U.S. Marshal under President Barack Obama.

"It would be an honor to serve under this president and vice president," Runde said. "I think they're going to do a great job with (handling) all the turmoil that our country is in."

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, announced Thursday his nomination of Runde for U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa.

Runde said he awaits FBI background checks and confirmation from the U.S. Senate, but he is grateful for Harkin's nomination and hopes to have the job this summer.

"I think I'm prepared to do it and I'm excited about it," Runde said. "I think I have all the tools to do a good job and I'm glad they're giving me the opportunity."

Runde has been with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office for almost 33 years. He started as a radio dispatcher in 1976 after serving in the Marines and then worked his way up the ranks. He became sheriff in 2005.

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More info available today from the Dubuque Telegraph Herald:

A year later, no action had been taken on his appointment, but Runde was among the norm -- only a dozen marshals have been confirmed over that time period. ...

A year later, no action had been taken on his appointment, but Runde was among the norm -- only a dozen marshals have been confirmed over that time period. ...