Democrats Were Against Iowa ‘Back the Blue’ Law Before 3rd Congressional Run

Kristina Bohannan’s Political Journey in Iowa

Kristina Bohannan, a Democrat from Iowa, serves as a law professor at the University of Iowa, where she has openly supported Black Lives Matter protests and sanctuary city policies. She has also been critical of Iowa’s “back the blue” law. With the Iowa Democratic primary approaching, she may find herself challenging U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for a third time if she secures the nomination.

In 2020, Bohannan led the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee at the University of Iowa’s School of Law during a period marked by nationwide unrest following George Floyd’s death. In Iowa City, several police officers were injured during protests as tensions heightened, with some demonstrators reportedly using laser beams against them. The situation escalated to violence in Des Moines as well.

At that time, Bohannan urged students and faculty to contribute to organizations like the Minnesota Freedom Fund and the National Rescue Fund, which advocate for defunding the police. Later that same year, she acknowledged her active participation in a group supporting the abolition of ICE and the establishment of sanctuary cities. In 2019, her donations aimed to assist illegal immigrants through a nonprofit that envisions a “world without police.”

In response to the protests in 2020, the Iowa State Legislature enacted the “Back the Blue” law, which increased protections for law enforcement and expanded qualified immunity for officers during unrest. Bohannan opposed this legislation, expressing concerns that it created discord between law enforcement and groups like Black Lives Matter. She believed that reaching a consensus was essential for community unity.

Bohannan co-authored an op-ed criticizing elements of the “back the blue” law, calling some aspects “dangerous and disturbing.” She took issue with provisions that made obstructing public pathways a misdemeanor and raised concerns about penalties for not yielding to unmarked law enforcement vehicles, arguing it could disproportionately affect people from marginalized communities.

Moreover, she disagreed with the requirements for local governments to enforce state laws rigidly, fearing this could heighten tension within communities. The editorial she co-authored also condemned increased penalties for rioting, asserting it could suppress First Amendment rights and escalate violence rather than mitigate it.

A Republican spokesperson, Zach Kraft, remarked on Bohannan’s past with Black Lives Matter, suggesting that her political track record has negatively influenced her electoral chances.

Bohannan’s past has been scrutinized during campaign cycles. An inquiry by the Washington Free Beacon revealed discrepancies in her claims about being an environmental engineer, clarifying her actual position was as an “engineering intern.” The Iowa Field Report also pointed out her controversial views posted on her campaign site regarding voter ID laws and felony voting restrictions.