An Open Letter to the Citizens of Clinton County, Iowa
Clinton, Iowa — Monday, February 2, 2026
To the People of Clinton County,
After much reflection and prayer, I want to share that I will complete my current term as Clinton County Attorney at the end of this year and will not seek reelection. For nearly 28 years, you have entrusted me with the responsibility of serving as your elected county attorney. Since first taking office in January 1999, I have had the privilege of serving as Clinton County’s chief law enforcement officer and as legal counsel to the county’s elected officials, departments, boards, and commissions. It has been an honor to run this race alongside you, and I intend to finish it the same way I began—faithfully, steadily, and with my full commitment to justice and public service.
Over these years, our county has faced moments of challenge and uncertainty that tested all of us. I was honored to help guide the county in a major courthouse renovation, through the aftermath of 9/11, to provide legal leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to assist in the transition from an outdated jail facility to a modern correctional center designed to better serve public safety. In each season, my goal was the same: to ensure that decisions were lawful, ethical, and rooted in the best interests of the people we serve.
At its core, I have always believed that a prosecutor’s duty is simple, but never easy—to see that justice is done. That belief guided thousands of charging decisions, courtroom arguments, and quiet moments of deliberation. Whether handling a routine misdemeanor or a complex felony, I sought to approach each case with preparation, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. I never forgot that behind every case are real people—victims seeking justice, defendants facing life-altering consequences, families carrying grief, and a community watching closely.
Throughout my career, I have worked to build strong, professional relationships with law enforcement officers, court staff, victims, witnesses, defense counsel, and community partners. I have been described as a prosecutor with both backbone and heart, and I accept that description as a reminder of the balance this job demands. Justice requires firmness, but it also requires humanity.
As my experience deepened, I handled increasingly complex cases, mentored younger attorneys, and worked to foster a culture of professionalism within the County Attorney’s Office. I have tried numerous jury trials, overseen the preparation of many more, and reintroduced the use of grand juries in appropriate cases involving justification claims, child sexual abuse, and other serious matters. I am proud of the lawyers and staff who have served alongside me and confident in the foundation we have built.
My service has never been limited to the courtroom. I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve on boards and coalitions focused on child care, substance abuse prevention, domestic violence response, and community safety. I have volunteered with youth programs, civic organizations, schools, and public education efforts designed to help citizens better understand their justice system. I believe deeply that public trust is strengthened when government is transparent, accessible, and willing to listen.
I am especially grateful for the confidence you have placed in me through seven four year terms. That trust has never been taken lightly. I have tried to honor it by working hard, making careful decisions, and always remembering who I serve. I will continue to serve as your county attorney through the end of my term, ensuring a steady and thoughtful transition for the next county attorney. There is still work to do, and I intend to finish well.
Scripture speaks of “running the race” with perseverance and finishing it faithfully. As I look back on this chapter of my life, I do so with gratitude and humility. I trust that my service and actions will speak for themselves. I remain hopeful for the future of Clinton County and confident in the people who will continue the work of justice and public service here.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you.
Respectfully,
Mike Wolf
Clinton County Attorney
I would like to thank Mike Wolf for his thirty years of dedicated service to the citizens of Clinton County. Mike’s dedication and leadership during his tenure as the longest serving Clinton County Attorney kept us safe and made Clinton a better place to live. He built a highly experienced and highly capable office that tackled the challenges of prosecution every day.
With Mike’s decision to retire after a successful career, I have decided to stand for election for Clinton County Attorney. The role of the County Attorney is to protect and serve the citizens. With over nineteen years of experience as a prosecutor, I understand that role and will fulfill that role. With twelve years in the office of the Clinton County Attorney, I know firsthand how capable and dedicated the staff and attorneys are that make the office run. I want to ensure that they are able to continue this mission and that is why I am seeking election for Clinton County Attorney.
Growing up with a father and two uncles that were Iowa State Troopers, a third uncle in the Philadelphia Police Department, an aunt in the Iowa DCI as a criminalist, and another uncle working as a counselor in the Iowa Department of Corrections, I was raised with a deep appreciation for the necessity of effective law enforcement. My first job, a prosecutor in the Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office, gave me experience in all aspects of the County Attorney’s Office. From district court to magistrate court and from criminal to juvenile, I handled it all.
I gained valuable insight that led me to obtaining a three-year contract with US Attorney’s Office in Des Moines as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. Focusing primarily on drugs cases, I was able work at the highest levels of drug prosecution in the State of Iowa while also receiving advanced training at the National Advocacy Center. After my contract, I returned to prosecution at the state level and se led down and made my home in Clinton County. For the last twelve years, I have worked as an Assistant Clinton County Attorney to keep my community safe. I intend to continue that mission as the Clinton County Attorney.
Thank you,
James M. McHugh
