Judges · District court, Judicial District 7
Jeffrey C. McDaniel
District Court Judge · District 7 · Scott County
About
Judge McDaniel, Scott County, was appointed to the bench in 2024. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1990 and then his law degree also from the University of Iowa College of law in 1993. Prior to his appointment, Judge McDaniel was engaged in the private…
Retention votes
| Election | Yes | No | Kept by |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 3, 2026 | 61,839 | 26,323 | 70.1% yes |
What lawyers said
Before each retention vote, the Iowa State Bar Association asks lawyers who’ve appeared before the judge to rate them from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent), and whether the judge should be kept.3
75.6% of 78 responding lawyers said to keep the judge (2026).
| Question | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Knowledge and use of the law | 3.9 |
| Sees the facts of a case clearly | 3.9 |
| On time for court | 4.3 |
| Listens to arguments and testimony | 4.2 |
| Runs the courtroom well | 3.9 |
| Temperament and manner | 4.2 |
| Clear, well-written decisions | 3.9 |
| Rules promptly | 3.8 |
| Uses technology to improve the courts | 4.1 |
| Avoids needless personal criticism | 4.3 |
| Decides on the law and facts, not outside pressure | 4.0 |
| Courteous and patient | 4.3 |
| Treats people equally | 4.4 |
| Fair to people without a lawyer | 4.2 |
| Said to keep the judge | 75.6% |
| Lawyers responding | 78 |
Source: Iowa State Bar Association Judicial Performance Review: 2026 (page 46).
Appeals from this judge’s cases
2 appeals on record; 1 reversed or vacated at least in part.4
- Criminal appeal No. 25-0931
- Criminal appeal No. 24-1848AI summary The defendant challenged his burglary convictions and the increased penalties applied to his sentence. He argued that the legal process used to label him a habitual offender was incorrect and that the court used improper factors during sentencing. The court af…