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IowaPolitics.com: Field of Republican gubernatorial candidates likely to grow to four by June
5/29/2009

By Lynn Campbell
IowaPolitics.com

Three Republican state legislators are close to formally announcing a run for governor -- a move that political observers say has to be made by this summer or early fall to mount a viable candidacy in the June 2010 primary and November general election against Gov. Chet Culver.

“I am seriously giving consideration to entering the race,” Rep. Rod Roberts, R-Carroll, said Thursday. “At some point in early summer, I would make my mind up as to whether I would establish that exploratory committee. ... I am two to three weeks from making a final decision.”

Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone, also said he’s definitely thinking about it. “I’m leaning towards it but I haven’t made a full decision yet,” he said. “There’s no exact date, but I’d like to get things lined up as soon as possible. I’m testing the waters to see what kind of support I get.”

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And state Rep. Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, has been traveling the state, speaking to interest groups and gauging support. The former House speaker has already logged more than 5,000 miles, gives his followers updates on Twitter and reportedly stated Tuesday night at a meeting of the Polk County Republican Central Committee: “I’m running for governor.”

As the field of Republican candidates for governor takes shape, it appears that there may be at least four candidates in the race by June. The three legislators would join three-time candidate Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City, who has been campaigning since January.

A handful of others are considering a run, including former Iowa Senate President Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny, U.S. Rep. Steve King of Kiron, Bettendorf businessman Mike Whalen, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton.

“If someone is going to get into this race, they’d probably want to get into it this summer or early fall,” McKinley said, calling the timeline conventional wisdom. “With the rigors of modern-day campaigns at this level, it’s going to require that amount of time for people to do those things necessary to run for office.”

Culver said Friday he is looking forward to the Republican ticket for governor shaping up. "The one thing I like about that long list is pretty soon, they'll be talking about each other instead of talking about me all the time," he said.

The Democratic governor wouldn't specify exactly when he'll make his re-election bid official, only saying, "we will make it official in the coming months, but I'm certainly excited about the opportunity to run for a second term."

"We are gearing up," Culver said. "You'll see a lot of movement in terms of fundraising efforts. In fact, I'm having a very big event July 11th here in Des Moines at chetculver.com if people want to learn more about it. We're getting geared up. This would be my fourth statewide race and we intend to win it."

Asked if he had more than the $1.5 million in the bank than his campaign finance reports showed he had in January, Culver said: "We're doing extremely well on fundraising. The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. It's been very gratifying to know that so many of my supporters across the state continue to have complete confidence in my ability to lead this state."

State government spending, leadership and marriage appear to be three key issues that Republicans will base their platforms on. Many Republicans point to state spending for fiscal year 2010 being the highest in history, and say the state will have nearly a $1 billion shortfall heading into next year. Most sharply criticized is Culver’s pushing for the $830 million I-JOBS bonding for infrastructure plan.

“I think with the current state of affairs ... Iowans are outraged,” McKinley said. “They believe government’s too big, too out of touch, too out of control. It’s little wonder that Republicans are stepping up. We will field a very good candidate.”

For Roberts, a development director with Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in Iowa who is serving his fifth term in the Iowa House, the 2010 gubernatorial race is all about leadership. He said Iowans have been yearning for a leader with the kind of temperament of former Republican Govs. Bob Ray and Terry Branstad, and he believes he fits the bill.

“People are hungry for leadership, where the individual is transparent enough so people can know who you are, understand what you bring,” Roberts said. “They want you to be respectful, civil, collegial. They want you to practice the golden rule -- watch your tongue and be civil, respectful of others. That’s one thing that people are finding appealing about me.”

Roberts, who is firmly against abortion and in favor of traditional marriage, said his inspiration to run for governor came when Culver decided after the April 3 Iowa Supreme Court ruling in Varnum v. Brien legalizing same-sex marriage to not push for a constitutional amendment banning such marriages, after previously saying he’d fight to protect marriage as between a man and a woman.

“Many of us were amazed at the 180 the governor did in terms of his previous public statements that he would be right out front leading the charge for traditional marriage. He didn’t do what he said he would,” Roberts said. “In that moment, that’s where the question for me considering entering the race prompted me to say, ‘I’m going to look at this carefully.’ If I hear from others and there was strong encouragement to do so, I’ll respond to that.”

Behn, a Boone farmer elected to the Iowa Senate in 1996, said he’s been thinking about running for governor since 2006. He decided against it at that time when Jim Nussle, a congressman with instant name recognition, got into the race. But the economy and state spending under Culver may lead Behn to enter the race this time around.

“His philosophy as governor is to tax and spend, [get] bailout money and spend, borrow money and spend. Do you see a common theme? His whole concept is to spend, spend, spend,” Behn said. “His plan to pay it back is to use gambling revenues and depend on an economic recovery. That’s not a plan. That’s gambling with our children’s future.”

Culver rejected the Republican criticism in an interview Thursday with IowaPolitics.com.

"They are on their political, partisan, negative talking points; we're balancing the budget," Culver said. "You need to look at the facts and not listen to the partisan rhetoric because that's all we're hearing from the Republican Party at this time."

Culver said the facts are that Iowa has cut spending of state money by $135 million and reduced its budget by 2.2 percent compared with two years ago.

"They want to play games. We're cutting budgets. ... We are lean. We're efficient," Culver said. "Look, we'll have an election next year. We just had a fantastic legislative session and that's what we're celebrating right now."


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