Subscribe Advertise About Us Contact Us Press Releases Commentary HOME

Pols Gear Up for '06 Election

REPUBLICANS

JIM NUSSLE Web site | Bio | Blog PROFILE: Long-time Congressman Jim Nussle wants to leave Washington, D.C. and lead his home state as governor. Many political pundits are already calling Nussle the front-runner in the race. Congressional newspaper Roll Call said in a recent article Nussle was the "odds-on favorite." The Manchester Republican is hitting the campaign trail hard pitching his energy plan at town hall meetings across Iowa. The candidate wants Iowa to become a leader in renewable energy, and that is among his priorities if elected governor. "Iowa can lead the way in showing the nation how alternative energy sources like ethanol, wind and biomass are part of the solution," Nussle said. "I believe that Iowa can be the cornerstone of America's energy solutions. We are pioneers in ethanol, biodiesel and wind energy, and with the right policies in place, fueling America can fuel Iowa's economy." Throw in education, and Nussle is saying the things many voters want to hear. "Trailing the results in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin is simply not good enough for a state once recognized as number one for its academic achievement," Nussle said. "We can do better and, in fact, we should strive to be the best. With the global competition we face, Iowa must set the standard for world class education, so that our students have the skills they need to pursue limitless opportunities in their future," Nussle said. Read the Oct. 2005 IowaPolitics.com profile of Nussle

BOB VANDER PLAATS NOTE: VANDER PLAATS GAVE UP HIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR IN FEBRUARY AND BECAME JIM NUSSLE'S RUNNING MATE. Web site | Bio | Campaign Chronicles PROFILE: Republican Bob Vander Plaats was a relative unknown when he first entered the 2002 gubernatorial race. He had never held an elected public office, but the Sioux City businessman's campaign efforts earned him a second-place finish behind GOP nominee Doug Gross in the June primary. A lot has changed for Vander Plaats in the past three years. many Iowans now know his name. He has used a campaign network that was in place. Lastly, Vander Plaats has received some assistance from a former competitor -- Rep. Steve Soukup, the third-place finisher in the 2002 primary, is now Vander Plaats' campaign chairman. Vander Plaats stresses the importance of education and economic growth in helping Iowa grow and compete in a global economy. He supports a marketing plan to recruit and retain business in Iowa. He desires reducing property taxes while reworking the state's income tax system. Vander Plaats also wants corporate taxes regulated and pension taxes eliminated. He envisions creating new funding streams for capital investors. However, he believes it is important to reconsider the Iowa Values Fund's place in the state economic development planning. Read the Oct. 2005 IowaPolitics.com profile of Vander Plaats

DEMOCRATS

CHET CULVER NOTE: CULVER WON THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ON JUNE 6, 2006. Web site | Bio PROFILE: Former teacher and Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver is seen by many as the Democratic frontrunner in the race for governor, and that image got a boost when a former rival decided to join his ticket in February. Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge, who had been looking to become Iowa's first female governor, instead decided to support Culver. In return, he made her his running mate. Even before Judge joined on, Culver benefited from a name that's popular among Iowa Democrats. His father, John, was a long-time congressman and U.S. senator and was hailed as an effective lawmaker. The younger Culver didn't immediately throw his hat into the political arena. Instead, he taught high school students about government and the political process at Hoover High school in Des Moines. In 1998, Culver became the nation's youngest secretary of state. He has spent the past two terms educating Iowans on their voting rights and the electoral process. The state registered record highs for voter turnout in the 2004 election. Culver's popularity among the party showed in his early fund-raising efforts. While exploring his run, the current candidate raised more than $600,000. One of his campaign co-chairmen is Bill Knapp, who is a leader in state Democratic politics. Culver's ties to Knapp have caused him headaches recently, after Knapp was one of the subjects of a newspaper investigation into a DOT land deal in Ankeny. Dem rival Ed Fallon has called for an investigation into the land deal, but Culver has continued to voice support for the man he recently called a "critically important" part of his campaign. Read the Dec. 2005 IowaPolitics.com profile of Culver

PATTY JUDGE NOTE: JUDGE WITHDREW 2/15/2006 -- JOINED CULVER CAMPAIGN AS HIS RUNNING MATE Web site | About Judge PROFILE: Iowa Agriculture Secretary and former state Sen. Patty Judge was aiming to be the first woman elected to the governor's office, but in February she decided the best way to see a Democrat in the Statehouse was to support one-time primary rival Chet Culver. She offered her support to him, and in return he made her his running mate. Judge, who has a health care background, says Culver will take a stand on an issue she feels is important for the future of this state and country -- stem cell research. The research is vital to helping victims of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, juvenile diabetes and spinal cord injuries she said. Judge also is pro-choice and doesn't hesitate to say so. "I am also proudly telling you I am pro-choice," she said at the Democrats' annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in November. "There can be no tiptoeing around this issue. Women are not second-class citizens and decisions regarding our medical care are just that—our decisions. The era of Roe versus Wade and federal protection of a woman’s right to choose is coming to an end. When the right wing has its way in Washington, and those who oppose a woman’s right to choose try to turn Iowa into an anti-choice state, I will tell them no way, just as Gov. Vilsack has done for us the last seven years. Read the Nov. 2005 IowaPolitics.com profile of Judge Campaign News Feb. 15, 2006: Statement - Judge Joins Culver Campaign Nov. 10, 2005: Patty Judge Proposes Iowa Center For Regenerative Medicine

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CANDIDATES

MIKE BLOUIN NOTE: BLOUIN FINISHED 2ND IN THE JUNE 6, 2006 PRIMARY Web site | Bio PROFILE: Former Iowa Economic Development Director Michael Blouin, who has also served as a U.S. congressman, toured much of Iowa during his stint as the state's economic development director. He witnessed impoverished areas trying to make ends meet in southern Iowa and the prosperous regions in northern Iowa. He says his duties to help revive and pump life into Iowa's economy helped him make his decision to seek the governor's office. "My vision for this state is a state economy that improves our quality of life, provides for our families and communities and develops new opportunities for our future that equals the tremendous optimism that Iowans have for this special place—a vision that builds on the economic strengths of Iowa while leaving no county or town or Iowan behind," Blouin said in his candidacy speech. To take Iowa to the promised land, Blouin knows it will take work but is relying on two principles — creating jobs and improving education for Iowa's families. Read the Nov. 2005 IowaPolitics.com profile of Blouin

ED FALLON NOTE: FALLON FINISHED 3RD IN THE JUNE 6, 2006 PRIMARY Web site | Bio | Blog PROFILE: Boosters say State Rep. Ed Fallon, D-Des Moines, could be considered a lawmaker for the people. The long-time state legislator has served seven terms in the Iowa House. His hard stances against gambling and for environmental causes have thrust him into media attention over the years at the Iowa Statehouse. The Democrat knows he has a fight on his hands to attain his party's gubernatorial nomination. As other candidates continue to raise large sums of campaign money, Fallon is sticking to his principles — and more importantly, the issues. He says his record shows the kind of governor he will be. Fallon's gubernatorial campaign mirrors past bids for the Statehouse. He is dedicated to running positive campaigns and not taking large amounts of special interest money. It is these principles that have Fallon calling for campaign finance reform -- he says it's ridiculous that nearly $1 million was spent in a recent Iowa Senate race. Read the Nov. 2005 IowaPolitics.com profile of Fallon

SAL MOHAMED NOTE: MOHAMED FINISHED 4TH IN THE JUNE 6, 2006 PRIMARY Web site | Bio