I think Iowa judges are selected on a (supposefly) non partisan basis by peers and then appointed. They are subject to retention vote. Lots of leeway for political mischief in that good old boy system.
>(supposefly)
System is rigged so governor can only nominate names off a list prepared via a lib dominated process. Judges can later get voted out. There was a proposal to change this before the legislature this year, but I don’t think it got anywhere.. it is much needed.