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IowaPolitics.com: Northey leaving door open to 2010 guv run
12/1/2008

By Lynn Campbell
IowaPolitics.com

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, a Republican, said in a recent interview with IowaPolitics.com that he's leaving the door open to running for governor against Democrat Chet Culver in 2010.

"I think there's plenty of time to make those decisions," Northey said. "Right now, I'm very happy being secretary of ag, I think I'll probably likely run for that again, but I haven't closed the door on anything. There's a lot of stuff to play out."

Lt. Gov. Patty Judge was the state's secretary of agriculture before becoming lieutenant governor. "She has served agriculture very proud as a lieutenant governor, I think she's done a nice job and certainly has shown that a secretary of ag can do that," Northey said. "I think others would have to make up their mind whether I'm a secretary of ag that could do that or not."  

Iowa Republicans have predicted 2010 will be a "fantastic year" for them but said they have a lot of work to do between now and then to get the pieces in place. Northey is on the short list of potential GOP gubernatorial candidates, along with Bruce Rastetter, Bob Vander Plaats, Chuck Larson, Jr., U.S. Rep. Steve King, Doug Gross, Christopher Rants, State Auditor David Vaudt, U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker, Mike Mahaffey, Rand Fisher and Mark Pearson.

"I think there's some other good folks that would certainly be great and that may be reason I decide not to do something. It really does depend on lots of different things," Northey said. "I think it's all very, very early and I'm sure even some of the folks being talked about may or may not run. I think everybody's kind of waiting to see what their life is like and how it fits in with campaign plans, but also to see who else is out there and just to see what the status of the state is and what the state needs."

Northey said everybody thought Republicans hit bottom in 2006, but they lost more seats this year. He predicted that the current recession and budget challenges will likely play a factor in the next election.

Northey said he still hopes an Iowan will get a seat in the Obama administration after former Gov. Tom Vilsack said he won't be the next U.S. secretary of agriculture.

"I still like the idea of an Iowan, whether it's at the top position or whether it's at a deputy position or undersecretary position or maybe the US EPA or Department of Energy," Northey said. "I just think it would be very valuable to have an Iowan very engaged, not only for what Iowa's meant for the Obama administration, but for what Iowa means for agriculture."

Northey said he didn't expect anyone picked to be a Republican, but said there are some Democrats that would be good representatives of Iowa in the Obama administration.


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