Trouble Brewing for Sioux City Judge Who Granted Lesbian Civil Union Dissolution
Sharon Malheiro writes:
Below is
an article that appeared in yesterday's Des Moines Register about the
fight that is going on in Sioux City regardng Judge Jeffrey Neary.
Judge
Neary is the Sioux City judge who dissolved the civil union of two
women. Since then, there has been an active campaign to have him
removed from the Bench from several right-wing groups.
There is a lawsuit regarding the case currently pending before the Iowa Supreme Court.
Many of
the individuals involved in the case were also the folks who sued
Governor Vilsack over the executive order that he signed several years
ago. These are the same individuals who are also actively campaigning
against Judge Neary.
The
folks campaigning against Judge Neary's retention have raised money and
they are planning to go on TV with negaltive ads. The are attacking his
ruling calling it the “lesbian divorce.” A political action
committee has been formed to counter these ads.
But, they need money.
Please
consider sending a check for this cause. By helping Judge Neary's
retention election, we send a strong message that all citizens in Iowa
are to be treated equally and fairly under Iowa's laws and judicial
system.
The PAC is called:
People for Judicial Quality, Independence and Integrity
P.O. Box 1883
Sioux City, Iowa 51102
Due to election law the PAC cannot take checks from corporations, P.C.s or LLCs.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sharon Malheiro
Money Flows From Backers, Critics of Judge
by Frank Santiago, Des Moines Register
Both sides in civil union dissolution case see sums swelling as retention vote nears for Neary
A
political battle over a northwest Iowa judge who dissolved a lesbian
union has drawn thousands in cash contributions on both sides.
Disclosures
filed with the state Tuesday show that a group opposed to the retention
of District Judge Jeffrey Neary has raised $11,765, which includes
$5,000 each from two conservative groups. Neary's supporters, many of
them lawyers, have raised $6,000.
The amounts, say spokesmen for both sides, are likely to increase as the Nov. 2 election nears.
Legal
authorities say the presence of the money and contributors, who include
a Sioux City judge, might be a first in the 42-year history of the
retention system. Campaigns are rare. Usually, judges are routinely
approved.
Neary,
46, of Merrill caused a stir in November when he dissolved a Vermont
civil union for two Sioux City lesbians. Critics said the judge paved
the way for same-sex marriages, which are barred in Iowa.
(Click here to read the complete article.)
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