On Friday, Governor Kim Reynolds announced her appointment of Dustin Hite as a district judge in Judicial District 8A.  

Hite, of New Sharon, serves as the mayor of the community, and is a partner at Heslinga Law Firm. He received his undergraduate degree from Central College and law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. Hite previously served two terms in the Iowa Legislature from 2019 to 2023 in House District 79, which included the City of Pella for four yeras. He lost his seat in a primary to now-Represenative Helena Hayes in the newly-drawn House District 88 in 2022. Both Republicans, Hayes was endorsed by Reynolds due to Hite’s opposition of the education savings account legislation.

Hite fills a vacancy created following the retirement of the Hon. Gregory G. Milani. Judicial District 8A includes Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington counties.