MASON CITY – Cerro Gordo county attorney Carlyle Dalen will run for re-election this fall – but he may have competition from a man advocating for stronger prosecution of sex assault crimes.
Democrats say Carlyle Dalen “is running for re-election as County Attorney. He has served as such since January 1, 2011.” He reportedly already has submitted his official election papers. They describe Dalen as “another regular meeting attendee with interesting updates and another shining example of selfless commitment to work that can often be thankless.”
A Democratic challenger is unlikely to step forward against Dalen for the June 5 primaries. However, a possible conservative challenger is being called upon to enter the November 6 general election.
Gabriel Haugland, a combat Veteran of Afghanistan, and current JAG officer in the Iowa National Guard, tells NIT he has interest in the job after folks on social media drafted him to get involved. Some in the community began to advocate for a strong prosecutor to take the reigns at the courthouse after the debacle that led to accused child molester Tawny Symonds walking free. Citizens questioned why the combination of a liberal judge in Rustin Davenport and the prosecutorial work of Dalen’s office could let Symonds off with mere probation and a suspended sentence after she allegedly molested a 2-year-old girl at her daycare.
“I am humbled by the broad encouragement I have received to run for county attorney thus far, Mr. Haugland tells NIT.
Some citizens feel Mr. Haugland would offer the strong prosecution of heinous crimes that may be lacking at this time.
“While I am disappointed that Mr. Dalen has suddenly become a diehard Democrat for purposes of keeping his high-paying job, I am more concerned about the sexual predators who have received weak plea deals from his office lately. It’s time for law and order to return to our county,” Mr. Haugland told NIT.
“Perhaps Mr. Dalen should spend more time convicting criminals than caucusing with the Democrats,” he offered.
For the last two years he has represented victims of sexual assault in the military. He is married to the former Carolyn (Nicholas) Haugland, a native of Clear Lake. They have lived in Cerro Gordo county with their two young children since Gabe returned from Afghanistan in 2011.
