Responding to Your Questions
Mar 09, 2010
Bob recorded a short video responding to questions and comments he recently received online. Check it out:
Vander Plaats Pleased Branstad Agrees to Three Debates, Encourages More
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats issued the following statement in response to an announcement late today that former Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to participate in three debates before the June 8 primary:
“I’m pleased Governor Branstad accepted our campaign’s Feb. 26 challenge to debate. The three debates that he has accepted are a good start, but I hope he will agree to others as the campaign progresses. I look forward to the April 7 debate in Sioux City to be sponsored by KTIV-TV, which will be broadcast by its sister stations, KWWL in Waterloo and KTTC in Rochester, Minn., as well as the Iowa Broadcast News Association debate on May 1 in Cedar Rapids and the traditional Des Moines Register/Iowa Public Television debate in Des Moines later in May.
Responding to Your Questions
Vander Plaats Stops in Webster City
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats stopped in Webster City Monday night and gathered with supporters at Godfather’s Pizza for what he called “pizza and politics.”
Vander Plaats’ Webster City stop was part of a statewide tour, with stops on Monday in Rock Valley, Fort Dodge and Webster City. Vander Plaats, Sioux City, is a former teacher, coach and high school principal. He is a former nonprofit CEO and is currently the president and CEO of MVP Leadership Inc. in Sioux City. Vander Plaats sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2002, losing to Doug Gross. He was on the ticket in 2006 as a candidate for lieutenant governor, running with Jim Nussle. The pair were defeated by the ticket of Chet Culver and Patty Judge.
Northern Iowa Wins!
Vander Plaats Over Branstad in Three County Straw Polls
Three Republican straw polls for the upcoming primary for the governor’s race produced interesting results over the weekend: In all three polls, which were conducted Friday night and Saturday morning, Bob Vander Plaats beat out former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, with state rep. Rod Roberts coming in a distant third.
“A lot people have already coronated Branstad, but it’s a lot closer than that, especially among activists,” said AJ Spiker, chair of the Story County GOP. “Vander Plaats is a little stronger with the activists, but with the people who vote in primary, who knows.”
Vander Plaats Visits Scott County
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Three republican governor hopefuls took the stage to share their ideas with Iowans Saturday afternoon. Former Governor Terry Branstad, businessman Bob Vander Plaats and State Representative Rod Roberts stopped by the Scott County Republican Convention at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.
They’re unhappy with the way Governor Chet Culver is running the state and agree that a change needs to be made. Amy Gonzales of Davenport agrees. “It seems like there’s not a lot of listening to what the people want. A lot of government just making their decisions without listening to the people.”
GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Debate in Davenport
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats sharply criticized former Gov. Terry Branstad at the Scott County Republican convention Saturday, saying the state’s education bureaucracy has grown bloated ever since “we sold out education” to win the 1994 election.
testing
Great Event in Ottumwa
Vander Plaats Opposes Culver’s Legislative Attempts to Expand Gambling;
BURLINGTON – Gov. Chet Culver’s call today for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to approve casino licenses for four more communities is fueled by “his desperation to win another term and his own compulsion to grow state government,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today.
Speaking at a campaign stop in this southeastern Iowa community, Vander Plaats also criticized legislative efforts to make Iowa the first state in the nation to legalize in-state internet gambling.
Volunteer for the Campaign
Vander Plaats will Attend Mahaska County Republican Dinner
Loyal central committee feels the pulse of the Republican Party Gubernatorial Candidates at Mahaska County dinner, forum, and straw poll.
OSKALOOSA, IA-The Mahaska County Republican Central Committee seeks gubernatorial and congressional input on issues of everyday Iowans. At our dinner and candidate forum, we will ask our gubernatorial and congressional candidates to share their vision with everyday Iowans. We seek to know where each candidate stands on key issues in this very important upcoming primary. We have confirmed appearances from Rod Roberts, and Bob Vander Plaats; Terry Branstad will send a representative. Pat Bertroche, Mark Rees, Jim Gibbons, and Brad Zaun are confirmed as the congressional candidates; Funk will send a representative.
Can-Do Conservatives’ Endorsement
2,000 Facebook Fans
Bob Vander Plaats Campaigns in Ottumwa
OTTUMWA, IOWA—On Tuesday evening, Bob Vander Plaats visited Ottumwa on a campaign stop.
Vander Plaats is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor. Throughout his career, Vander Plaats has been a teacher, basketball coach, high school principal, and businessman.
Bob Vander Plaats Campaigns in Ottumwa
OTTUMWA, IOWA—On Tuesday evening, Bob Vander Plaats visited Ottumwa on a campaign stop.
Vander Plaats is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor. Throughout his career, Vander Plaats has been a teacher, basketball coach, high school principal, and businessman.
Dallas Straw Poll Features Two Gubernatorial Candidates
Former Gov. Terry Branstad is sending his son Marcus to represent him Friday night at the Dallas County Republicans’ rally and gubernatorial straw poll.
The other GOP candidates for governor — Bob Vander Plaats and Rep. Rod Roberts — will speak at the event, which begins at 6 p.m. at Dallas Center Elementary School, 1205 13th St., Dallas Center. The program will start about 6:30 p.m. Balloting for the straw poll starts at 6:55 p.m. and Rep. Tom Latham is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Chili and soup will be served. More details are here.
Vander Plaats Nomination Papers Filed, Accepted for June 8 Republican Primary
DES MOINES – State Rep. Jodi Tymeson, state chair of Bob Vander Plaats’ gubernatorial campaign, filed nomination papers with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office this morning to place the Sioux City businessman’s name on the ballot for the June 8 Republican primary election. Late today, an elections official said the petitions had been accepted for certification.
Today is the first day that candidates may submit nomination petitions to put their names on the ballot. Vander Plaats’ petitions included 4,766 signatures and 28 qualified counties. Gubernatorial candidates are required to receive signatures equal to 1 percent of their party’s vote total in the 2008 presidential election in at least 10 counties and 0.5 percent of their party’s statewide vote. Republican gubernatorial candidates must submit at least 3,412 signatures to secure a place on the ballot.
Bob Files for GOP Primary
Debate Challenge to GOP Opponents
Vander Plaats Wants Branstad to Debate Republican Issues
Bob Vander Plaats followed the well-worn path of lesser-known candidates last week, challenging a better-known candidate to a series of debates.
This is Vander Plaats’ third race for governor, and he was the Republicans’ 2006 lieutenant governor nominee. But when it comes to name recognition, the Sioux City business consultant still badly trails his main rival for the Republican nomination, former four-term governor Terry Branstad.
Vander Plaats Challenges Branstad, Roberts to Series of Debates About Future of Iowa
DES MOINES – Saying Iowa Republicans deserve to see how their gubernatorial candidates compare face-to-face on the issues that will shape the state’s future, Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats today challenged former Gov. Terry Branstad and state Rep. Rod Roberts to a series of debates across the state before the June 8 primary.
“Chet Culver has brought Iowans together on one point: We need a new governor capable of leading us forward instead of dragging this state down. The outcome of a Republican primary has never been more important than it is this year. Republicans need a nominee who will step up and meet the challenges facing us,” Vander Plaats said. “I appreciate the opportunities Rod Roberts and I have had to meet in various settings and exchange ideas. Terry Branstad has been in this race quite a while now and it’s time for him to step up, join me on the same stage at the same time, and talk about the issues.”
Vander Plaats Joins Pawlenty at Tax Reform Event
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered by many to be mulling a bid for president in 2012, will return to Iowa in April to speak at an event sponsored by Iowans for Tax Relief.
Also speaking at the event will be Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Terry Branstad Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats, as well as independent candidate Jonathan Narcisse. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Northwest in Des Moines.
Vander Plaats: Control Tuition, More Accountability in Education
Bob VanderPlaats, who will compete with Branstad in June’s Republican primary, said all Iowa schools — K-12 as well as colleges and universities — need to focus money on classroom education, making sure administrators act efficiently. Constant tuition increases make it difficult for Iowa college students to plan for the future, he said.
“We should be very transparent: We’ll say here is what you can expect your tuition to look like each year,” said VanderPlaats, who plans to visit Iowa City later in the campaign. “That way you can plan as a student with eyes wide open to what it’s going to cost you to get that degree from whatever college you plan on attending.”
Vander Plaats to Visit Knoxville Tuesday
Republican candidate for governor, Bob Vander Plaats will make a campaign appearance in Marion County next week. Vander Plaats will meet with interested citizens in Knoxville to discuss his campaign and ideas for job creation. The focus of the visit will be to get input from citizens on what they think should be done to get Iowa moving in the right direction. Vander Plaats will be at Godfathers in Knoxville at noon Tuesday.
Videos from the Gov. Huckabee Rally
Huckabee Returns to Iowa to Stump for Vander Plaats
2008 Iowa Caucus winner Mike Huckabee was in the state yesterday to help his former Iowa campaign chairman, Bob Vander Plaats. Huckabee devoted most of his day to helping Vander Plaats’ campaign for governor. He attended a high-dollar fundraiser in Cedar Rapids over the noon hour, headlined an event for the Iowa Family Policy Center in Des Moines in the afternoon, and then headed back to Cedar Rapids for an evening rally for the Vander Plaats campaign.
Huckabee touched down at the Eastern Iowa Airport around noon yesterday. His plane was 30 minutes late, but he did spend about 15 minutes talking to the media before departing to the Cedar Rapids Country Club. Huckabee was asked numerous questions regarding the Tea Party movement and the ramifications for Republicans.
Huckabee Rally Round-up
Message from Bob
Bloggers for Bob
Help Bob Reach His Goal
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Vander Plaats Lead Over Culver Grows in Latest Poll
Rasmussen Poll: Vander Plaats Lead Over Culver Grows, Branstad Lead Shrinks
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats leads Gov. Chet Culver by six points in the latest Rasmussen Poll, which is an increase of 3 percent from an Iowa Poll published earlier this month.
Vander Plaats leads Culver 46 percent to 40 percent among a survey of 500 likely voters contacted by the Washington, D.C., polling firm on Thursday. He led Culver 43-40 percent in the Iowa Poll. Meanwhile, Terry Branstad’s lead over Culver in the Rasmussen Poll is 53 percent to 37 percent, down from the 53-33 percent margin in the Iowa Poll.
Gov. Huckabee in Iowa
Statement on Rant’s Withdrawing from Governor’s Race
Bob Vander Plaats: Reaction to Rants Withdrawing from Governor’s Race
Coralville Courier
DES MOINES, IA.—Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats issued the following statement in response to state Rep. Christopher Rants’ decision to withdraw from the governor’s race today:
“It’s a big decision to run for governor and it’s a big decision to withdraw. We applaud Christopher for his service to Iowa and his passion for the future of our state, and we respect him for the decision he’s come to. He has given many years to working on behalf of Iowans and the primary campaign process benefited from his participation. I would definitely consider bringing Christopher Rants’ talent, expertise and experience into a Vander Plaats administration.”
Vander Plaats Campaigns in Davenport
It is a great time for someone who has never held political office to make a run for the governorship of Iowa, Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats said Thursday.
Speaking to about 50 people at the Godfather’s Pizza restaurant on East Kimberly Road in Davenport, Vander Plaats, one of three candidates vying for the Republican nomination, said he has no political record by which he can be hanged.
Photos from Fort Dodge
Vander Plaats Jabs Culver, Branstad
MASON CITY — Bob Vander Plaats took swipes at Gov. Chet Culver and at former Gov. Terry Branstad Wednesday night in a campaign stop at the Pizza Ranch.
“Culver’s only chance at re-election is if we nominate a candidate whose political record is longer than his is,” said Vander Plaats. He was referring to Branstad, a former four-term governor who will be one of his opponents in the June primary.
Linn County GOP February Events
MASON CITY — Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, will greet people at the Pizza Ranch starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Vander Plaats sought the nomination in 2002 and 2006. He became the running mate of the eventual candidate, Jim Nussle, in 2006.
Dallas County GOP Plans Gubernatorial Straw Poll
Fastest Growing GOP County in Des Moines Metro to Measure Support for Republican Candidates at Pre-County Convention Rally in Dallas Center on March 5th. All GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Invited to Woo 2010 Primary Voters & Volunteers
WAUKEE, IA—The Dallas County Republican Party wants to know where its GOP Primary Voters stand on the four Republican candidates running for Iowa Governor.
Sign Up for Free Tickets to the Huckabee and Vander Plaats Rally
Culver Clobbered, Down for Count?
At this point, if you’re Chris Rants or Rod Roberts, you have to wonder, why not me? A duo of polls have come out in the last few days painting a dire situation for the Chet Culver for Governor re-election team. First came The Iowa Republican poll, then the Des Moines Register yesterday, both showing Democrat Culver being highly unpopular with Iowans.
The Register Poll shows Culver with a 36 percent approval rating, cratering below the 40 percent level in November and 60 percent of Iowans liking him a year ago. The Register poll (conducted Jan. 31 to Feb. 3) shows Culver getting pummeled in head-to-heads when pitted against Republican gubernatorial candidates Terry Branstad (53 to 33 percent) and trailing Bob Vander Plaats (43 to 40 percent). The only head-to-heads where Culver doesn’t trail is with State Rep. Chris Rants of Sioux City and Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll, although even there Culver’s poll margin is narrow.
Vander Plaats Calls Out Rivals in Gubernatorial Race
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats took aim at his closest rivals in the race, not holding punches on either Democrats or Republicans, during a stop in Marshalltown Saturday.
Vander Plaats said his administration would focus on creating economic opportunity for Iowans so that families and their children would not have to consider leaving the state in order to find good jobs.
Bob Vander Plaats’ Upcoming Schedule
Vander Plaats will speak to the Fort Dodge Rotary Club at noon Monday, March 8th. The group meets at the Starlight Motel, 1518 Third Ave., NW. He will make a campaign stop at Godfather’s Pizza, 817 Second Ave., Webster City at 6:00 p.m. that day.
At noon on Tuesday, Vander Plaats will meet the voters at the Pizza Ranch, 465 Center Place, SW, Altoona. He will attend the Iowa Christian Alliance Spring Kick-Off Event at Walnut Creek Community Church, 900 64th St., Windsor Heights. That event, which features former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, begins at 5:30 p.m.
Vander Plaats will be in Anamosa from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, appearing at McOtto’s, 100 Chamber Drive. At 6:00 p.m. that day, he will hold an event at the Pizza Ranch, 1347 11th St., Clinton. On Friday evening, he will be in Des Moines to attend an Iowa Chiropractic Society political action committee reception, which is only open to that organization’s members.
Landing Test
Campaign Leadership Team
Jodi Tymeson – State Chair
State Representative Jodi Tymeson is a former teacher and retired Army National Guard Brigadier General. She retired in October 2007 after 33 years of military service.
Born in Boone County, Jodi was raised on a Century Farm near Ogden. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1973. She earned a B.A. degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University. Jodi is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College as a National Security Fellow at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government.
Jodi enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1974 and spent eight years as an enlisted soldier. She was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1982. She served in many positions to include platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander, troop command commander and assistant adjutant general.
Jodi spent four years teaching sixth grade and four years as a substitute teacher. She is still licensed to substitute.
Jodi was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2000 and is serving her fifth term. She chaired the House Education Committee for four years, served as Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and Ranking Member, House Administration and Rules Committee. During her 10 years of service in the Iowa House, she served on several committees and was instrumental in the passage of Iowa’s Safe Haven Law and Iowa’s law against human trafficking.
She and her husband, John, now reside in Madison County near Winterset. John is retired after 34 years of military service. They have two adult daughters.
Richard Johnson – Co-Chair
Richard D. Johnson served 23 years as the Auditor of State before retiring in 2003. Mr. Johnson received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Drake University, beginning his public service as the Sheldahl City Clerk in 1959. In 1964, Mr. Johnson began 11 years of service as the Mayor of Sheldahl, and went on to become the Director of Finance for the Department of Transportation’s Administration Division and the Director of the Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicles Division.
Mr. Johnson was appointed to the position of Auditor of State in 1979 by Governor Ray and went on to become a six-time winner of statewide office, never losing an election.
Richard Johnson was the President of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers, and the first Iowan to serve as a member of the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of CPAs. He was also commissioned by the U.S. Department of State to help develop accounting and financial systems in new democracies in the former Soviet Union.
In Senate Resolution 155, Richard Johnson was recognized as a man of unwavering integrity, having “earned the respect of persons of both parties for his political courage and his lack of partisanship.”
Keith Ratliff – Co-Chair
The Reverend Keith A. Ratliff Sr. is the pastor of the Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church and president of the Iowa/Nebraska Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Ratliff, who has been in the ministry more than 31 years and been a pastor for more than 29 years, is involved in numerous social and community causes. He is the state historian for the Iowa Missionary and Educational Baptist State Convention and Affiliated Churches. His church opened Joshua Christian Academy in the fall of 2009 to provide parents and students with the option of Christ-centered education in Des Moines’ inner city.
Ratliff also is a national board member with the NAACP, which is the nation’s oldest and most respected civil rights organization. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Simpson College in History/Education and earned his master’s degree from Drake University in religious leadership. He recently retired as a senior engineering analyst at John Deere Des Moines Works, where he has worked for 33 years.
Ratliff and wife Deborah have been married for 31 years and have five children. He has been the recipient of numerous honors for his community service, including the Des Moines Area Religious Council Interfaith Service Award, Fraternity Omega’s Citizen of the Year Award, Des Moines Human Rights Commission Award, Black Ministerial Alliance Community Service Award and induction into the Iowa African American Hall of Fame in December, 2003. The City of Des Moines proclaimed April 17, 1994 as “Rev. Keith A. Ratliff, Sr. Day” and he was awarded the key to the City of Des Moines.
Bernie Saggau – Co-Chair
Bernie Saggau was appointed Assistant Executive Director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association October 14, 1963, and was appointed to the position of Executive Director, September 9, 1967, a position he held until his retirement, January 1, 2005.
Bernie’s background consists of being a teacher, coach, principal and business man. He is past president of the National Federation of State High School Associations. He was the Chairperson for the National Basketball Rules Committee for eight years and served on the Football Rules Committee for 25 years. He served on the United States Olympic House of Delegates Committee. Mr. Saggau was a recipient of the National High School Coaches Distinguished Award. He currently is a trustee of Buena Vista University. As a hobby, Bernie has refereed high school and college basketball and football games for 30 years.
The Board of Control of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, in 1989, established an award in his name. This award honors an outstanding citizen athlete (boy or girl) in every one of the 400 high school in the state of Iowa and each winner receives a beautiful plaque in his name.
Mr. Saggau was presented the Award of Merit from the National High School Athletic Directors Association, the highest honor presented to one individual each year. In 1996 he was selected as one of the top 20 individuals in the last 20 years to do the most for improving officiating in our country by Referee magazine.
Mr. Saggau most recently received the American Tradition Award; only the second individual to receive this prestigious award.
Mr. Saggau’s vision, the signature of his career, was of a $13 million dollar, 26,000 square feet, Hall of Pride which officially opened in February 2005 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Photos from the Trail
Reduce Taxes to Create Jobs
Mike Huckabee Endorses Vander Plaats
Volunteer for the Campaign
Pizza and Politics
Vander Plaats Sets Stops in Carroll, Fort Dodge Mason City and Charles City on Feb. 16, 17
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats will make campaign appearances Carroll, Fort Dodge, Mason City and Charles City on Feb. 16-17, including a “Bob on the Job” stop as a waiter at one restaurant.
Vander Plaats will be at the Pizza Ranch, 425 Highway 30 West, Carroll, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, to talk about his bid to unseat Gov. Chet Culver and outline his priorities for the state. He will hold a similar event at Godfather’s Pizza, 2305 First Avenue, South, Fort Dodge, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Between those stops, Vander Plaats will wait tables at Applebee’s Restaurant, 2810 Fifth Avenue, South, Fort Dodge, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as part of his tour to work the jobs that other Iowans hold to better understand their daily concerns and challenges.
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Republicans Crush Democrats in Iowa Gubernatorial Generic Ballot
In four months, Iowa Republicans will select their candidate to run against Governor Chet Culver this fall. The last time a sitting governor was voted out of office was in 1962 when Governor Norman Erbe lost to Harold Hughes. The TIR/Concordia Group poll shows that Governor Culver has a real chance to enter the history books as the first Governor in modern history to be rejected by the voters of Iowa.
Governor Culver has struggled in every public poll that has been conducted over the past year. Culver’s polling numbers were lackluster in the TIR/Concordia Group poll, the Iowa First Foundation poll, and even the Des Moines Register’s Iowa poll. Each of these polls showed Culver losing in a head-to-head matchup with former Governor Terry Branstad. All three polls also showed Culver in serious trouble a year or more before he stands for re-election.
Vander Plaats in Pella: ‘I’ll Open Iowa for Business, Create Jobs so Young Iowans Can Stay Here’
PELLA – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said he would create economic policies that will “open Iowa for business” and one result will be that young Iowans will have more quality job opportunities that could keep them closer to home.
Noting that his oldest son, Hans, is currently working in New York City, the Sioux City businessman said that his goal is “create more jobs so Hans and other young Iowans like him will be able to move home, raise families of their own while being able to continue successful careers.”
Vander Plaats Proposes Steps to Control Public Tuition
JEFFERSON – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats chastised Gov. Chet Culver today for “failing Iowa’s young people while they’re in college and certainly after they’ve graduated.” He vowed to devote more attention to holding the line on tuition at the state’s three public universities and working to create more quality jobs.
“If you were to ask people what Chet Culver has done during his time on office for young Iowans, they’d say he hasn’t done anything except preside over tuition increases and a shrinking economy. He’s failing Iowa’s young people while they’re in college and certainly after they’ve graduated because he’s practically forcing them to leave Iowa to make enough money to repay their student loans,” Vander Plaats said during a campaign stop at The Pizza Ranch.
Vander Plaats: Culver Failing Young Iowans
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats chastised Gov. Chet Culver today for “failing Iowa’s young people while they’re in college and certainly after they’ve graduated.”
He vowed that as governor he would to devote more attention to holding the line on tuition at the state’s three public universities and working to create more quality jobs.
Vander Plaats: Culver Should Promise to Veto Any Assault on Iowa Right-to-Work Law
BELMOND – Gov. Chet Culver owes it to Iowa companies, their employees and local economic development groups to say definitively that he will veto any legislation that weakens the state’s right-to-work law, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today.
After Culver signed an order on Wednesday requiring state agencies to consider expensive project labor agreements that favor union contractors and workers over their non-union counterparts, he gave a vague answer when asked by reporters if he would attempt to repeal Iowa’s right-to-work law that protects employees from being forced to join unions or pay union dues. “I don’t believe we are going to do that,” Culver said.
Huckabee will Campaign for Vander Plaats
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (AP)—Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will visit Iowa to campaign for Bob Vander Plaats, a GOP candidate for governor.
Vander Plaats: Culver More Worried about Winning Favors with PLA Instead of Looking Out for Iowans
NEWTON – Gov. Chet Culver’s order the state agencies must consider expensive project labor agreements shows he is “more worried about winning political favors with union leaders than looking out for working Iowans who will have to pay the cost,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today.
Project labor agreements, (PLAs) are a direct assault on Iowa’s right-to-work laws because they usually require that all workers be hired through union halls, non-union workers pay dues for the length of the project, and union rules on pensions, work
conditions and dispute resolution are followed.
Vander Plaats Schedules Pella Campaign Stop for Saturday, Feb. 4th
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats will visit Pella at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6 for a campaign event that is open to the public.
Vander Plaats will be at the Pizza Ranch, 203 River Avenue South, Pella, to talk about his bid to unseat Gov. Chet Culver and outline his priorities for the state.
Vander Plaats Schedules Missouri Valley Campaign Stop
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats will visit Missouri Valley at noon, Monday, Feb. 1 for a campaign event that is open to the public.
Vander Plaats will be at the Pizza Ranch, 104 W. Erie St., to talk about his bid to unseat Gov. Chet Culver and outline his priorities for the state.
Vander Plaats Schedules Clarinda Campaign Stop
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats will visit Clarinda at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1 for a campaign event that is open to the public.
Vander Plaats will be at J’s Pizza and Steakhouse, 108 E. Washington St., to talk about his bid to unseat Gov. Chet Culver and outline his priorities for the state.
Vander Plaats Financial Report: Campaign Raises $657,740 in 2009
DES MOINES – The campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats today submitted its financial disclosure report to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, showing it raised $657,740 during 2009, had more than $203,000 cash on hand on Dec. 31 and that it collected the most money after former Governor Terry Branstad announced he would formally enter the race.
“By all accounts, we had a great year,” Vander Plaats said. “The fact is, we received the strongest financial support after Terry Branstad said in September that he was likely to get into the race. The financial backing this campaign has received is a clear indication that people see the GOP primary as a two-man contest and that a solid number of Iowans want a new face to lead the Republican Party forward.”
Culver ‘Selling Iowa Students to Federal Government’
DES MOINES – Iowans should not be fooled into believing Gov. Chet Culver is reforming the state’s education system when he signed legislation Friday to force school districts to evaluate teachers partly on student performance in an attempt to receive federal funding, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today.
“Don’t call it education reform because that’s the last thing it is. Chet Culver says he was motivated to support the legislation so Iowa could compete for some one-time federal Race to the Top grants. It’s not a race to the top; it should be called a ‘Grab for the Money and a Surrender of Local Control.’ Chet Culver is selling Iowa’s students to the federal government,” Vander Plaats said. “This isn’t fast action on school reform, as one headline read. This was a rash move that once again proves Chet Culver lacks leadership skills and sound judgment.”
Vander Plaats: ‘I’ll Create Real Jobs for Marshalltown Area, Not Take Them Away Like Culver Has
Create jobs by cutting taxes, regulations instead of borrowing to fund temporary jobs
MARSHALLTOWN – Pledging to “open Iowa for business,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats today said he would generate and maintain local jobs by reversing Gov. Chet Culver’s policies.
“On Tuesday, Chet Culver talked about the ‘new green jobs’ his administration has created. On Thursday, we learned that the bulk of those jobs were created before he even took office and, to make things worse, 25 percent of those jobs are government positions,” Vander Plaats told the Marshalltown Pachyderm Club. “It’s bad enough he claims credit for jobs he didn’t create but he actually cost this community 1,500 jobs, a $1.8 billion construction project and billions in economic activity for years to come through his policies that stopped the construction of an electric power plant right here.”
Vander Plaats: ‘Culver the One Confused about the Condition of the State’
DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver’s Condition of the State speech today was a “desperate defense of a failed administration rather than a vision for a vibrant future,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today.
“If Chet Culver was right about one thing it is that Iowans are ‘looking forward not back.’ Iowans are looking forward to new leadership that faces up to the reality, grows our economy and puts his mismanagement behind us,” Vander Plaats said. “This speech was vintage Chet Culver: spend our reserves, soak property taxpayers some more and hope to buy himself a second term with our tax dollars. He needs to quit reading what his speechwriters gave him and have a one-on-one talk with State Auditor David Vaudt.”
Vander Plaats Tours Clive Ignition Interlock Maker; Calls For Tough DUI Standards
CLIVE – While touring a company that makes devices that prevent intoxicated people from starting their vehicles, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today he would seek to provide the necessary leadership to overhaul the state’s drunken driving statutes if elected.
Vander Plaats Calls on Branstad to Contact Sen. Ben Nelson, Urge No Vote on Health Care Legislation
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today that former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad should stand up for Iowans by contacting his close friend, Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and urging him to vote Thursday against the government’s takeover of America’s health care system.
“Terry Branstad helped get Ben Nelson elected. He went to Nebraska and campaigned for him. He urged Republicans to vote for Ben Nelson. He gave money to Ben Nelson’s campaign. What Iowa got in return is that we have to pay for any future increases in Medicaid in Nebraska because that was the price of Ben Nelson’s vote for this bill,” Vander Plaats said.
National Conservative Leader David Barton Endorses Vander Plaats Gubernatorial Bid
DES MOINES—Nationally known author and political activist David Barton has endorsed Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats in the 2010 Iowa gubernatorial race.
Michael Farris Announces Support for Vander Plaats
PURCELLVILLE, Virginia – Michael Farris, a national leader in home-school education and the founder of Patrick Henry College, today announced his support for Bob Vander Plaats in the 2010 Iowa gubernatorial contest.
“Bob is a leader who really understands the core principles of liberty that were purchased at such a great price by our Founding Fathers. Government is here to protect our liberty not to grant our every whimsical wish only to be paid for by the next generation through massive debts,” Farris said today in a prepared statement. “Bob is a man of conviction, candor and compassion. He will make a great governor.”
Vander Plaats Statement on Fong Campaign’s Suspension
SIOUX CITY – Republican candidate for governor Bob Vander Plaats issued the following statement this morning in response to Cedar Rapids businessman Christian Fong’s decision to suspend his candidacy for the 2010 GOP gubernatorial nomination:
“I’ve grown to appreciate Christian’s grace, wit and intelligence during the months we were on the campaign trail together. He represents everything that’s good about the state. He’s a tremendous talent who believes in being part of the solution – and that makes him a great role model for young Iowans. I hope they will follow his example as someone who has worked hard to achieve his dreams and is very committed to his faith, his family, his community and state.
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I’m Bob Vander Plaats and I’m running for Governor because I love Iowa. I believe that Iowa needs fresh, bold leadership. I hope that you will join us in this pursuit of excellence.
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Meet Bob
Bob, one of eight children, grew up in a two-story home on a tree-lined street in Sheldon, Iowa. His dad, a World War II Veteran who ran his own business, worked hard to care for his family. Bob learned the values of hard work and honesty from his Mom and Dad.
Bob was an outgoing basketball star in high school, playing in the state basketball tournament his senior year. Those who knew him say that, even then, he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.
In his senior year of high school, Bob began dating his future life-partner, Darla Granstra. They had completed thirteen years of school together; nursery, elementary, junior high, and three years of high school. It was during their senior year that they began discovering their future. It was Darla who awoke the awareness in Bob that the future was full of exciting challenges and great opportunities. In Bob’s words, “Darla was responsible for raising my expectations for life.”
Both stayed close to home after high school graduation, attending Northwestern College in Orange City where Bob received a basketball scholarship and Darla received a music scholarship. In the summer prior to their junior year, they were married.
Bob pursued a career as an educator, saying “I fell in love with teaching because I saw the difference I could make in the lives of kids.”
His first teaching job was in Boone, teaching business courses at Boone High School, while Darla began working as a certified public accountant.
Two years later they moved to Jefferson when Bob was recruited to teach business and become their head basketball coach. Bob loved teaching and coaching, and also started a landscaping business. Their first two sons, Hans and Josh, were born in Jefferson and Darla chose to stay at home with them.
At twenty-nine years old, Bob’s leadership qualities resulted in a big promotion when he received an offer to become the new principal of Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn High School. The position gave him an even greater opportunity to lead, and he flourished. The success he experienced resulted in a call from his home town of Sheldon, asking Bob to join their staff as the Sheldon High School principal.
Bob went on to earn master’s and specialist’s degrees in the area of educational leadership from Drake University. His leadership ability was evident and his advancement rapid as he served both students and teachers.
In 1993, Bob and Darla’s third son, Lucas, was born with a serious and rare brain disorder. He would be severely handicapped and require constant care for the rest of his life. “If it hadn’t been for the miracle of Lucas,” Bob says, “we would have never looked beyond where we were.” Four years later, their fourth son, Logan, was born and completed the creation of a very special family.
Another unexpected offer came in 1996, when Bob was sought after to become the President and Chief Executive Officer of Opportunities Unlimited, a health and human services organization, providing rehabilitative services for young adults with brain or spinal cord injuries, or other life-altering disabilities. OU needed a strong leader to motivate employees, raise funds and provide a strategic vision with attainable goals. Bob accepted the challenge and, in four short years, turned a struggling entity into one of the top service providers of its type in the United States, with a net assets increase of four hundred and forty percent and the highest accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities - Brain Injury (CARF). With Bob’s leadership, the organization’s design and program delivery were referred to as the model in the country for serving people with disabilities.
In 2002, Bob led a positive and energetic campaign for governor. Although he narrowly lost his first bid for public office, he was highly successful in building a statewide organization which remains motivated and continues to grow. In 2006, he was the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. And, he gained national attention as the state chair of Mike Huckabee’s winning campaign in the 2008 Iowa presidential precinct caucuses.
Bob is currently president of MVP Leadership, Inc., which specializes in strategic vision and executive leadership for business and industry, economic development, education, health care, human services, and private foundations.
His professional and personal accomplishments have received high recognition. In March 2002, he was noted as one of the “40 Under 40” – the 40 most influential people under 40 years of age in the Siouxland Region by The Sioux City Journal. In the fall of 2000, Northwestern College bestowed upon Bob the honor of “Distinguished Alumni” for his professional achievement.
Bob Vander Plaats’ entire career has been about maximizing the potential of the people and institutions around him. His life experiences, integrity, and track record of achievement make him a candidate that we can trust to lead us into the future with excellence.
Bob Vander Plaats is the right leader for Iowa.
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Does Anyone in the Culver Administration Know What’s Going On?
DES MOINES – Last week, Gov. Chet Culver said state officials didn’t need to do anything except “hope we continue to have an economic recovery” to correct the long-term problems of the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System only to learn the next day that concerned legislative leaders will be taking action in January. Wednesday, a top Culver aide insisted the state is not on the hook for millions of dollars of tax credits in Iowa Film Office fiasco only to be corrected Thursday by Attorney General Tom Miller.
“There’s a non-stop pattern of incompetence from the Governor’s Office. Does anybody in the Culver administration know what’s going on?” Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats asked today. “It’s terribly demoralizing for front-line employees – and all Iowans, for that matter – when the people who are supposed to be leaders don’t know what they’re doing and constantly say things that end up being flat-out wrong. Someone needs to introduce the right hand to the left hand in this administration because it’s obvious they don’t know what each other are doing.”
Rasmussen Reports Poll: Vander Plaats Leads Culver in Head-to-Head Match-Up
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats has opened a lead on Gov. Chet Culver in a head-to-head match up of likely general election voters, according to a poll released today by the respected Rasmussen Reports.
“This poll reflects Iowans’ strong belief that Chet Culver is simply in over his head and has poor leadership instincts,” Vander Plaats said. “He’s swimming against the tide. As far as the majority of Iowans are concerned, his last day in office can’t get here soon enough. Iowans are going to sweep him out of office next November and a growing number of Republicans, Democrats and independents are joining our campaign to get the job done.”
Northern Iowa Wins!
Mar 08, 2010
Northern Iowa won their 2nd Missouri Valley Conference Title in a row! They’re the sleeper team to watch during March Madness.
Great Event in Ottumwa
Mar 05, 2010
The "Meet and Greet" event went very well on Wednesday in Ottumwa for Bob,
especially at short notice. The room was set up for 80 and a guy afterwards
said about 107 attended so it was very close quarters with some people
standing. They brought in 15 extra chairs but it got to the point there was
no real good place to set them. Some stood outside the room in the hall or
in the doorway. This room was a little larger than the Pizza Ranch rooms
they normally use. Since Ottumwa does not have a Pizza Ranch, I was able to
acquire this location and it seemed to work out well.
KTVO Television was there as well as the Ottumwa Courier and a couple other
media people I did not have a chance to meet. The TV Station did a real
good report on Bob with lots of footage at 10 PM tonight. Will have to see
what the newspaper does.!
I recorded a short video responding to questions and comments I recently received online. Check it out: http://ow.ly/1gawA #iagov #iagop
