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.)