An Iowa Democrat who played a role in hiring an illegal immigrant as superintendent of the Des Moines school district has withdrawn from the race for the U.S. Senate. Jackie Norris’s decision comes in the wake of a significant controversy surrounding the arrest of former superintendent Ian Roberts, who is facing serious legal issues.
Roberts was arrested by ICE last month, revealing he had no authorization to work in the United States. He stands accused of making a false statement on his I-9 employment form. This incident is compounded by an additional federal charge for allegedly being an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm.
Norris, who currently serves on the school board as chair, voted to hire Roberts. Her resignation from the Senate race highlights the challenges she now faces. In a statement on her campaign website, she said, “After thoughtful consideration, I have decided that I will no longer be a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary.” She cited the crisis surrounding the school superintendent as a major factor in her decision. “Those realities took time and oxygen away from the work I set out to do: stand up for our kids and families,” she added.
Norris emphasized the need to focus on her responsibilities as chair of the School Board, particularly as it navigates this tumultuous period. She mentioned ongoing investigations and a commitment to leading with accountability and transparency. “It’s clear I need to focus on the work at hand,” she stated.
This hiring controversy has been leveraged against Norris by Republican candidate Ashley Hinson. In a striking criticism, Hinson remarked, “She’s about as qualified to be a U.S. senator at this point as a goldfish is to run a marathon.” Such remarks underscore the political risk Norris faces as details of the scandal continue to emerge.
Reports indicate that during Roberts’s tenure, he attempted to steer contracts toward a group known as Lively Paradox. After only three months in the role, Roberts requested approval for emergency contracts totaling $116,000. However, school district staff flagged these contracts for potential conflict of interest due to Roberts’s prior engagements with Lively Paradox. Despite this, he managed to authorize payments amounting to $6,476 to the firm.
The fallout from these developments has been swift and severe. As Norris steps back from the Senate race, it raises questions about leadership accountability and oversight in educational institutions. The situation continues to develop, with investigations pending and implications for local governance in the years to come.
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