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IowaPolitics.com: Krishna seen as leading in race for GOP chairman, but race still fluid
12/15/2008

By IowaPolitics.com Staff

Gopal Krishna, the former co-chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa under Chairman Kayne Robinson, has seven of the nine votes necessary to become the new chairman of the party, GOP insiders say.

Others remain skeptical that anyone has a lock on the position. Committee member Bill Anderson called the race “wide open,” with no front-runner in sight.

“Some of the blogs may have implied that Gopal was just going to walk into the position of chair,” committee member Jason Hutcheson said.  “I don't think that will happen, as this job is too important to simply hand to somebody.”

Former state Rep. Danny Carroll, a Grinnell Republican, is currently believed to be in "second place" with about four or five votes among the 17 voting members of the State Central Committee, who will vote Jan. 10 for its new chairman.  

Things could still change in the next month, especially as candidates continue to surface as possible replacements for current chairman Stewart Iverson.

The Republican State Central Committee will host a forum from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 27 at GOP headquarters for the public to meet and discuss issues with the candidates for chairman and co-chairman.

Then at the Jan. 10 election meeting, candidates will be given time to address the committee.  The 17 voting members of the State Central Committee will vote for chair and co-chair following candidate speeches and any questions from committee members.  A majority of voting members present at the meeting is required to elect the state chair and co-chair.

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