Former Iowa Lawyer Alleges Judges Blocking His Bid for Governor

McCleary claims the Iowa Supreme Court is 'weaponizing' the attorney disciplinary process to prevent him from running for office.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A former Iowa attorney named Jaysen McCleary, who has been the subject of at least nine ethics complaints, alleges the Iowa Supreme Court is trying to scuttle his campaign for Iowa governor by 'weaponizing' the attorney-disciplinary process against him. McCleary claims the ethics complaints filed against him by judges and other attorneys were 'coordinated' and stem from his lawsuit against the City of Des Moines. He is seeking the reinstatement of his law license, the return of seized funds and property, and the quashing of an outstanding arrest warrant that is preventing him from returning to Iowa to collect signatures to appear on the ballot as a gubernatorial candidate.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the potential for the judicial system to be used to block disfavored political candidates from running for office. It also highlights ongoing tensions between McCleary and the Iowa legal establishment, including allegations of disability discrimination and abuse of the attorney disciplinary process.

The details

In May 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court suspended McCleary's law license, citing a 'disability' that prevented him from practicing law. McCleary has since filed several motions seeking the reinstatement of his license, the return of seized funds and property, and the quashing of an outstanding arrest warrant. He alleges the ethics complaints against him were 'coordinated' and stem from his lawsuit against the City of Des Moines over a 'traumatic brain injury' he sustained in 2014. McCleary also claims Justice Waterman, who signed the order suspending his license, co-chairs the Iowa bar's conduct committee, which McCleary says oversees attorney discipline.

  • In May 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court suspended McCleary's law license.
  • In December 2025, the court denied McCleary's request for immediate reinstatement of his law license.
  • In January 2026, McCleary filed papers challenging the validity of the attorney disciplinary process and again seeking the reinstatement of his license.

The players

Jaysen McCleary

A former Iowa attorney who has been the subject of at least nine ethics complaints and is seeking to run for Iowa governor.

Justice Thomas Waterman

An Iowa Supreme Court justice who signed the order suspending McCleary's law license.

Iowa Attorney Disciplinary Board

The board that filed complaints against McCleary, which he alleges were 'coordinated' and stem from his lawsuit against the City of Des Moines.

City of Des Moines

The city that McCleary sued over a 'traumatic brain injury' he sustained in 2014 when a garbage truck dropped a container on him.

Bela Animal Legal Defense and Rescue

McCleary's nonprofit organization that he claims would be left 'unrepresented in active litigation' if his law license is not reinstated.

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What they’re saying

“This is disability discrimination weaponized as attorney discipline.”

— Jaysen McCleary, Former Iowa Attorney (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“Iowa's judiciary is deciding who Iowans may elect as governor.”

— Jaysen McCleary, Former Iowa Attorney (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

What’s next

The Iowa Supreme Court has yet to rule on McCleary's request for a rehearing on the denial of his motion for immediate reinstatement of his law license.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for the judicial system to be used to block disfavored political candidates from running for office, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the need for robust safeguards to protect the right of citizens to choose their elected representatives.