Thomas R. Laehn

Thomas grew up in the small, farming community of Allison, Iowa, where his father served as the pastor at a local church. His mother worked as a school librarian in a neighboring town.

After studying at Drake University, Louisiana State University, and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Thomas became a university professor, teaching courses in American government, political philosophy, and constitutional law.

After teaching for four years, Thomas decided to return to rural Iowa to start a family and to begin a career in public service as a prosecuting attorney. He earned his law degree at the University of Iowa and moved to Jefferson, Iowa, where he was elected Greene County Attorney. He is the first Libertarian in the history of the State of Iowa to win an elective partisan office. And he did it twice, winning reelection as a Libertarian in 2022.

As Greene County Attorney, Thomas developed a reputation as an aggressive prosecutor who brought child rapists, attempted murderers, and other violent criminals to justice. He also partnered with a nonprofit association to create a community service program and to aid nonviolent offenders with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. As a result of his leadership, recidivism rates plummeted.

Thomas resides in Jefferson with his wife, Dr. N. Susan Laehn, and their daughter.