Local adherents explain Constitutional Sheriff movement
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
Lawn signs have dotted the landscape and petitions have been placed on gas station check out counters, showing support and looking for those interested in the movement, but what exactly is a Constitutional Sheriff and why is it so important here and now in Clayton County?
In an interview with Larry Kubly from Edgewood, one of the core members of the Northeast Iowa Chapter, he was forthcoming about the group’s aims and how it all started for both himself and the chapter.
Kubly’s story begins in 1963, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the Vietnam War, both of which Kubly had misgivings and questions about. Some of those questions were answered in 1971, after hearing a speech sponsored by the John Birch Society. From that moment on, Kubly’s “eyes were opened” to the coming events that would change America.
The next chapter in Kubly’s story fast forwards to 2013, when he had a chance to listen to another speaker, a sheriff named Richard Mack, the founder and president of the Constitutional Sheriff’s and Peace Officers Association. At that speech, the circle of like-minded people expanded, as they left the speech stating things like, “I had no idea the sheriff had that kind of power” and “why haven’t we heard of this information before now?”
It would take a few more years for the movement to really get moving, though. The first meeting of the core group was held sometime in early 2020, and in May 2021, Mack was invited to speak in Arlington, solidifying the group’s intentions.
This was followed with another speech given by author, constitutional legal scholar and president of Liberty First University KrisAnne Hall, who spoke in front of about 300 people in Arlington in March 2022 and at a separate event for sheriff’s and peace officers.
“I was one of the original members that started with a few like-minded patriots in Clayton County who have decided we want to do something to help people become aware of how an informed Constitutional Sheriff has taken an oath and is bound by that oath, to uphold and defend both state and federal laws protecting our liberties in the Bill of Rights along with our freedoms,” Kubly explained.
Kubly stated the movement has “progressed slowly but surely,” reminding that it takes time to raise awareness.
But that awareness has led to the establishment of sub-groups or chapters, depending on your preferred lingo, in Bremer and Delaware counties along with the one that already exists in Clayton County.
As for actual size in numbers, Kubly could not say for certain, only that the numbers have increased since 2020, mostly through word of mouth, seminar sign in sheets, yard signs and information packets Kubly has on hand when he travels. According to Kubly, the feedback has been positive, especially once people understand why the group is doing it and how “necessary it is for today.”
One goal is to inform the public of their responsibility in screening and electing candidates running for office. A lot of what Kubly and the chapter does revolves around explaining the importance of making “sure the sheriff in your county is fully informed of what it means…to totally understand their obligation to follow that oath they swore to uphold when they were elected to serve in that office.”
Kubly stated that, as citizens, there is an inherent responsibility “to screen any and all candidates running for that office to not only inform them of what you expect from them if elected, but also to let them know you have their back when and if they are ever challenged in fulfilling their duties in upholding that same sacred constitution.”
Kubly went to great lengths to iterate that this is “not a political battle.” It has nothing to do with political affiliation or party designation, and is entirely about upholding the constitution, electing officials who will do so and holding those accountable who do not.
As Kubly put it, “to make sure every person running for the office of sheriff in each county will honor his oath to uphold both the state and federal constitutions.”
Kubly noted Clayton County is fortunate with sheriff Mike Tschirgi, who the chapter believes embodies what a Constitutional Sheriff is—someone who knows the constitution, understands their obligations, fulfills their sworn oath to uphold the constitution and protects and prevents encroachment on civil liberties or the Bill of Rights.
“The general consensus was that our sheriff has been and will continue to be a constitutional sheriff, and will continue to protect and stand up for the rights and liberties of the citizens of Clayton County as spelled out in the constitution of the United States and the state of Iowa’s constitution,” Kubly said.
While Kubly and the chapter believe Clayton County is a peaceful place to reside, and has a sheriff that adheres to the principles of the movement, there is still reason for concern and reason to spread the word to other counties and people who might not be so fortunate.
“We see storm clouds gathering and a potential for more and more unlawfulness in coming days and months ahead. All the more reason for a Constitutional Sheriff to come to our defense,” Kubly stated.
Among those storm clouds, Kubly mentioned “controversial laws and executive orders” that have been passed during the preceding 16 months, as well as events that took place in Minneapolis. According to Kubly, those events might have been deterred by a constitutional sheriff who has the authority to bypass the “illegal command” of an elected mayor and has the ability to call in the National Guard “to settle any dispute before it got out of hand.”
“The sheriff has more law enforcement power in his elected county than any other agency in that respect, federal or otherwise. That’s why we say he is our first line of defense,” Kubly said.
For right now, the group continues to recruit and getting the word out about the need for a Constitutional Sheriff, not just in Clayton County, but across the country.
“We want that sheriff to know we have their back as much as we expect them to have ours. We all have our work cut out for us,” Kubly added.
