Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines Public School Board (DMPS), withdrew from the race for Iowa’s open US Senate seat on Thursday amid criticism for advocating “radical empathy” towards former superintendent Ian Andre Roberts, who has faced legal issues including living in the US illegally.
As a Democrat and former chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama, Norris stated that the current crisis regarding the superintendent required her undivided attention, which has led to “vicious and coordinated attacks” against her.
“The severity of the situation has diverted both time and resources away from my mission: to advocate for our children and families, as well as for our educators and caregivers who are the foundation of our communities,” Norris expressed in her statement.
Roberts, who previously led Iowa’s largest school district, has a troubling criminal record and has been living and working in the United States without legal documentation.
He resigned from his position on September 30 following his arrest by immigration officials on September 26, which included a brief police chase.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents allegedly discovered a firearm, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash during the arrest.
Federal authorities indicated that Roberts, who returned illegally to the US from Guyana in 1999 after previous arrests for theft and drug-related offenses, was convicted in Maryland in 2012 for reckless driving, unsafe driving, and speeding.
In 2020, Roberts faced charges related to the second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, as well as additional firearm-related charges.
Despite multiple visa violations and deportation orders in 2004 and 2024, he remains an active voter and is registered as a Democrat in Maryland.
Authorities charged him with being an undocumented immigrant in possession of firearms.
When Roberts was appointed in July 2023, the school board was aware that he did not complete his degree at Morgan State University, as he had claimed on his resume.
It remains unclear if the board was informed of his illegal immigration status or prior criminal history.
Norris’ rival, Representative Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), called for her resignation from both her role on the school board and the Senate race, criticizing her inability to maintain basic hiring standards within Des Moines Public Schools.
In her statement concluding her campaign, Norris noted that the school board “has taken significant steps toward accountability, leading with transparency and determination.”
“It’s clear that my focus needs to remain on my responsibilities: guiding the board through the current transition, advocating for the passage of the Reimagining Education bond, and actively engaging in ongoing investigations to provide our community with the answers it deserves,” Norris continued, asserting that she concludes the race with pride and will persist in supporting efforts for Democrats to win this Senate seat.
The Des Moines Public Schools board did not respond promptly to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Norris’ office also chose not to provide further remarks.
Contributions from Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Samsel and Louis Casiano were utilized in this report.
