Iowa conducts retention elections, which means that the governor appoints a justice, who then must be retained or voted out by the voters at the end of the term. This means that if a Justice receives a majority Yes vote in the election, s/he will serve for the next eight years on the Iowa Supreme Court before appearing on the ballot for another retention vote. If a Justice receives a majority No vote, s/he will be replaced in January 2020 by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.

Iowa’s Supreme Court has seven justices. Currently there are six Republican justices and one Democratic justice. A justice serves an initial term of office that is one year after the appointment and until January 1 following the next judicial election at the end of the year.  The regular term of office of justices retained at election is eight years. 

In 2020, four Justices are up for re-election.

Susan Christensen (R) is the Chief Justice of the court. She has been on the court since 2018, when she was appointed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, and she was selected as Chief Justice in February of 2020.

Edward Mansfield (R) has been on the court since 2011, when he was appointed by Republican Governor Terry Branstad.

Christopher McDonald (R) has been on the court since 2019, when he was appointed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.

Thomas Waterman (R) has been on the court since 2011, when he was appointed by Republican Governor Terry Branstad.