DES MOINES, IOWA (September 9, 2026) — Governor Reynolds announced her appointment of Joy Messer as a District Associate Judge in Judicial District 5A.
Messer, of Pella, Iowa, serves as Assistant Marion County Attorney. She received her undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Messer fills a vacancy created following the resignation of the Hon Steven Holwerda. Judicial District 5A includes Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Marion, and Warren counties.






