Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham

Candidate Kimberly Graham had big, bold ideas for changes she planned to make within the office of Polk County Attorney she pursued. Graham was elected in 2022, so she’s had time to settle into the job after succeeding her predecessor John Sarcone, who held the office for over three decades. How’s it going? What I appreciate about our Potluck podcasts is that we have one hour to ask questions and follow up with our guests. Unlike a television or radio interview spliced together into one-minute segments, we can have a real unedited conversation. Readers who join the call are welcome to ask questions, too. Graham, a Democrat, broke a bit of news in our call today, so be sure to listen and or read the transcript. Retired Des Moines Register columnist Rekha Basu, who wrote extensively about issues related to local government as an opinion columnist, was the first on our call to ask County Attorney Graham questions. She had several. Also joining us was retired District Court Judge Artis Reis and others who have followed Graham for some time.The unedited transcript is included here. One quick note, when I asked Graham if she’d consider challenging the Iowa Attorney General, I commented that after all, didn’t the current AG Brenna Bird get her start as Guthrie County Attorney? Laura Belin clarified in the Zoom chat, that Bird first held the county attorney position in Fremont County before assuming the role in Guthrie County. Graham ran unsuccessfully statewide in a democratic party U.S. Senate primary. Would she consider challenging the current Iowa Attorney General, Brenna Bird? ”Not no, but H-E double toothpicks, no,” she answered. I believe that means HELL NO.Listen to the podcast. Graham is one to watch, and I appreciate her willingness to talk to us at length about her goals, progress, and her vision for the office. She was candid about party politics and willing to tackle questions posed. This is refreshing and informative. Graham is pursuing innovative ideas such as making fines more in line with an ability to pay, in other words, the more you make, the higher the fine. “A $1,000 fine for Bill Gatres is not meaningful, right?” posed Graham. For those who are poor, it can be devasting and put someone in a hole they can’t dig out of. To join our Monday Zoom lunch chats, simply subscribe to this column (it’s free) and you will receive a link to the call. The time flies. We have an engaged, smart audience, and I conduct the hour more like a dinner party than a slick interview. Try it out. You do not have to be a paid subscriber to join the conversation. Join us. If you have a guest to suggest, drop me a note:Next week, our guest is Dr. Richard Demming, of the Richard Deming Cancer Center. He’s a physician, and some call him a superhero. He’s a philanthropist and impacts lives in immeasurable ways. 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