County Attorney Candidate, Brian Williams
Candidate Website: https://www.blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov/716/Attorneys-OfficeÂ
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General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Brian Williams is the Black Hawk County Attorney, having risen through the ranks of the office over years of service before his appointment to lead it. Within the office, he started as an assistant handling aggravated and serious misdemeanor cases before working his way up to felony prosecution — where his caseload has included armed robberies, sexual assaults, and other crimes of violence, including murder.
As County Attorney, Brian has emphasized vigorous prosecution and defendant accountability, aggressive prosecution of violent crime, assistance for crime victims, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Under his leadership, the office has strongly supported and participated in specialty courts, including the Assault Domestic Abuse Court and the Black Hawk County Adult Drug Court — programs designed to address the underlying issues driving criminal behavior and help defendants become contributing members of the community rather than simply cycling through the justice system.
Brian has said his mission and that of his office is to pursue truth and justice: prosecuting criminal acts, protecting the community, and providing effective programs and resources within the criminal justice system. He's emphasized collaborative relationships with other county departments and with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies as central to that mission.
Now running to hold the office in his own right in the 2026 general election, Brian is asking Black Hawk County voters to support him and the work he's already been doing on their behalf as the county's top prosecutor.
Fun facts: Brian's career in the County Attorney's office has spanned everything from misdemeanor cases to felony prosecutions of the county's most serious violent crimes. Under his leadership, the office has expanded its use of specialty courts designed to address the root causes of criminal behavior.
As Black Hawk County Attorney, Brian Williams has built his tenure around a straightforward mission: pursuing truth and justice while protecting both public safety and taxpayer resources.
Vigorous prosecution and accountability. Brian has emphasized aggressive prosecution of violent crime and consistent defendant accountability as core priorities of his office, arguing that the community is safest when serious crimes are prosecuted thoroughly and consistently.
Supporting crime victims. Brian's office has prioritized victim assistance as a central part of its mission, working to make sure survivors of crime are supported throughout the prosecution process, not just treated as witnesses.
Specialty courts and rehabilitation. Brian has strongly supported and expanded Black Hawk County's use of specialty courts, including the Assault Domestic Abuse Court and the Adult Drug Court — programs that address the underlying issues behind criminal behavior and help defendants reclaim their lives and reintegrate into the community.
Careful use of taxpayer dollars. Brian has emphasized that his office operates with an eye toward fiscal responsibility, using public resources carefully even as it pursues an aggressive prosecutorial agenda.
Collaboration across agencies. Brian has prioritized building strong working relationships between his office and other county departments, along with state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, arguing that public safety in Black Hawk County depends on that kind of coordination.
As one of Black Hawk County's countywide elected offices, the County Attorney's race matters to the broader Black Hawk County Democratic ticket well beyond the office's day-to-day prosecutorial work.
Continuity in a critical public safety role. Brian's continued leadership of the County Attorney's office gives Black Hawk County Democrats a steady, experienced hand overseeing the prosecution of the county's most serious crimes, at a time when public safety remains a top concern for voters across the political spectrum.
A model for smart-on-crime policy. Brian's expansion of specialty courts like the drug court and domestic abuse court reflects a rehabilitation-focused approach to criminal justice that resonates with many Black Hawk County Democrats, offering an alternative to purely punitive approaches to public safety.
Down-ballot turnout. Countywide offices like County Attorney appear on every Black Hawk County ballot regardless of legislative or congressional district, meaning Brian's campaign plays a role in driving turnout for Democrats across the entire county, from Waterloo to the rural townships.
Protecting a Democratic-held countywide office. With county government offices up for election in 2026 alongside the state legislature and federal races, Black Hawk County Democrats are working to hold every seat on the county's roster — and Brian's continued service as County Attorney is part of that broader effort.