Farris Endorses Bob at NICHE Capitol Day
Culver’s Casinos
Republicans Pledge To Ease Home School Restriction
Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats said if elected, he will appoint representatives from the home school community to the state’s Board of Education.
Vander Plaats said the move would “symbolically, if nothing else, make sure this is about parental rights, not government control.”
“If we allow a Supreme Court to dictate what our freedoms are, how you educate your children is in jeopardy,” Vander Plaats said. “This is a freedom issue.”
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With Three Debates Set the GOP Primary is About to Heat Up
In 85 days, Iowa Republicans will head out to the polls and select the candidate that they want to see go head-to-head with Governor Chet Culver in the general election this fall. Various public and private polls show that Governor Culver is in serious trouble, meaning that Republicans stand a great chance at winning the office.
Since last July, Terry Branstad has led Culver the polls by anywhere from 16 to 29 percent. Branstad’s chief primary opponent, Bob Vander Plaats, has also beat Culver in head-to-head polls since last fall, but by a lesser percentage. Even relatively unknown State Representative Rod Roberts polled well in a matchup between himself and Culver. Roberts trailed the incumbent Governor by only 5% in February, just outside of the poll’s margin of error.
Vander Plaats: Culver’s Mismanagement, Across-the-Board Cuts “Come Back to Bite Him” on Educat
SIOUX CITY – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats today criticized Gov. Chet Culver for “trying to play the hero on school funding when it’s his mismanagement that has largely caused the problem.”
Culver today threatened to veto a budget bill that “doesn’t include the funding Iowa’s schools deserve.” However, it was Culver’s across-the-board budget cut last year that has forced school districts to announce the layoffs of hundreds of teachers statewide while also increasing property taxes.
Endorsements
Three Straw Polls in a Row
Vander Plaats Wants Iowa to be ‘Economic Engine”
CLINTON — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bob Vander Plaats stopped in Clinton on Wednesday, telling a crowd of about 30 people that Iowa could be the next “economic engine in the entire country.”
Vander Plaats, speaking at the Pizza Ranch, said Iowa’s location, infrastructure and workforce, were ideal for businesses, but state leaders weren’t doing enough to facilitate growth.
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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.
Culver Defends Cuts: Vander Plaats Predicted Them
My day featured one former Iowa high school teacher versus another former Iowa high school teacher. Oh, and one happens to be the governor. The other wants to be governor. It is Governor Chet Culver versus Republican Bob Vander Plaats when it comes to funding education.
Culver defended his decision to order 10% cuts for state departments, including education. Vander Plaats contends that was the lazy way out. He thinks Culver should have cut elsewhere and protected education. Culver told me this, “We stood up and made the tough decisions and that was what was required. We’ve dealt with it. It’s behind us. We’re now on a pathway to grow on economy.”
Three GOP Candidates for Governor Speak at Iowa Christian Alliance Event
The three Republican candidates for governor each spoke, briefly, at an Iowa Christian Alliance event earlier tonight.
Republican rival Bob Vander Plaats drew the largest burst of applause from the crowd when he repeated his vow to issue an executive order on his first day as governor to forbid gay marriage in Iowa. Vander Plaats suggested it was time to nominate a “principled conservative” as the Republican Party’s gubernatorial nominee.
“Poll after poll after poll shows our candidacy defeating Chet Culver in a head-to-head competition. We can win on November 2,” Vander Plaats said, as the crowd applauded. “And the good news about us winning in those polls against Chet Culver is ladies and gentleman we no longer have to compromise in order to win and to lead.”
Vander Plaats Says Tax, Regulatory Changes Needed
Bob Vander Plaats thinks Iowa is poised to be a powerhouse of the American economy if the right leadership is in place.
‘‘I truly believe Iowa can be the next economic engine in this country,’’ the Republican candidate for governor told members of the Fort Dodge Rotary Club Monday afternoon.
Just one essential ingredient to success is missing, according to Vander Plaats.
‘‘We need a governor to put in the fundamentals to open this state for business,’’ he said.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 spend time at the Home School Day at the Capitol on Tuesday. He will be there from 9 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m. Vander Plaats has been endorsed by Michael Farris, a founder of the national Home School Legal Defense Association. Farris will also be at the event.
On Thursday, Vander Plaats will appear at an event for young professionals from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Smokey Row, 1910 Cottage Grove Ave., in Des Moines.
On Friday, the Sioux City business consultant will be in Boone at Godfather’s Pizza, 1720 S. Story St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. He will be at the Senior Citizens Center in Story City beginning at 6:30 p.m. He will participate in the Emmetsburg St. Patrick’s Day parade at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
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.
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Reduce Taxes to Create Jobs
Mike Huckabee Endorses Vander Plaats
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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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Iowa’s Economy
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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Republicans Pledge To Ease Home School Restriction
Mar 16, 2010
Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats said if elected, he will appoint representatives from the home school community to the state’s Board of Education.
Vander Plaats said the move would “symbolically, if nothing else, make sure this is about parental rights, not government control.”
“If we allow a Supreme Court to dictate what our freedoms are, how you educate your children is in jeopardy,” Vander Plaats said. “This is a freedom issue.”
With Three Debates Set the GOP Primary is About to Heat Up
Mar 16, 2010
In 85 days, Iowa Republicans will head out to the polls and select the candidate that they want to see go head-to-head with Governor Chet Culver in the general election this fall. Various public and private polls show that Governor Culver is in serious trouble, meaning that Republicans stand a great chance at winning the office.
Since last July, Terry Branstad has led Culver the polls by anywhere from 16 to 29 percent. Branstad’s chief primary opponent, Bob Vander Plaats, has also beat Culver in head-to-head polls since last fall, but by a lesser percentage. Even relatively unknown State Representative Rod Roberts polled well in a matchup between himself and Culver. Roberts trailed the incumbent Governor by only 5% in February, just outside of the poll’s margin of error.
Vander Plaats: Culver’s Mismanagement, Across-the-Board Cuts “Come Back to Bite Him” on Educat
Mar 15, 2010
SIOUX CITY – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats today criticized Gov. Chet Culver for “trying to play the hero on school funding when it’s his mismanagement that has largely caused the problem.”
Culver today threatened to veto a budget bill that “doesn’t include the funding Iowa’s schools deserve.” However, it was Culver’s across-the-board budget cut last year that has forced school districts to announce the layoffs of hundreds of teachers statewide while also increasing property taxes.
Vander Plaats Wants Iowa to be ‘Economic Engine”
Mar 11, 2010
CLINTON — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bob Vander Plaats stopped in Clinton on Wednesday, telling a crowd of about 30 people that Iowa could be the next “economic engine in the entire country.”
Vander Plaats, speaking at the Pizza Ranch, said Iowa’s location, infrastructure and workforce, were ideal for businesses, but state leaders weren’t doing enough to facilitate growth.
Vander Plaats Pleased Branstad Agrees to Three Debates, Encourages More
Mar 09, 2010
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.
Culver Defends Cuts: Vander Plaats Predicted Them
Mar 09, 2010
My day featured one former Iowa high school teacher versus another former Iowa high school teacher. Oh, and one happens to be the governor. The other wants to be governor. It is Governor Chet Culver versus Republican Bob Vander Plaats when it comes to funding education.
Culver defended his decision to order 10% cuts for state departments, including education. Vander Plaats contends that was the lazy way out. He thinks Culver should have cut elsewhere and protected education. Culver told me this, “We stood up and made the tough decisions and that was what was required. We’ve dealt with it. It’s behind us. We’re now on a pathway to grow on economy.”
Three GOP Candidates for Governor Speak at Iowa Christian Alliance Event
Mar 09, 2010
The three Republican candidates for governor each spoke, briefly, at an Iowa Christian Alliance event earlier tonight.
Republican rival Bob Vander Plaats drew the largest burst of applause from the crowd when he repeated his vow to issue an executive order on his first day as governor to forbid gay marriage in Iowa. Vander Plaats suggested it was time to nominate a “principled conservative” as the Republican Party’s gubernatorial nominee.
“Poll after poll after poll shows our candidacy defeating Chet Culver in a head-to-head competition. We can win on November 2,” Vander Plaats said, as the crowd applauded. “And the good news about us winning in those polls against Chet Culver is ladies and gentleman we no longer have to compromise in order to win and to lead.”
Vander Plaats Says Tax, Regulatory Changes Needed
Mar 09, 2010
Bob Vander Plaats thinks Iowa is poised to be a powerhouse of the American economy if the right leadership is in place.
‘‘I truly believe Iowa can be the next economic engine in this country,’’ the Republican candidate for governor told members of the Fort Dodge Rotary Club Monday afternoon.
Just one essential ingredient to success is missing, according to Vander Plaats.
‘‘We need a governor to put in the fundamentals to open this state for business,’’ he said.
Vander Plaats Stops in Webster City
Mar 09, 2010
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.
Vander Plaats Over Branstad in Three County Straw Polls
Mar 08, 2010
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
Mar 07, 2010
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
Mar 06, 2010
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.
Vander Plaats Opposes Culver’s Legislative Attempts to Expand Gambling;
Mar 04, 2010
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.
Vander Plaats will Attend Mahaska County Republican Dinner
Mar 04, 2010
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.
Bob Vander Plaats Campaigns in Ottumwa
Mar 02, 2010
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
Mar 02, 2010
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
Mar 01, 2010
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.
Vander Plaats Wants Branstad to Debate Republican Issues
Feb 28, 2010
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
Feb 26, 2010
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
Feb 26, 2010
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
Feb 26, 2010
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
Feb 26, 2010
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.
Huckabee Returns to Iowa to Stump for Vander Plaats
Feb 25, 2010
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.
Rasmussen Poll: Vander Plaats Lead Over Culver Grows, Branstad Lead Shrinks
Feb 22, 2010
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.
Bob Vander Plaats: Reaction to Rants Withdrawing from Governor’s Race
Feb 18, 2010
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
Feb 18, 2010
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.
Vander Plaats Jabs Culver, Branstad
Feb 17, 2010
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.
Vander Plaats to Visit Mason City
Feb 16, 2010
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
Feb 15, 2010
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.
Culver Clobbered, Down for Count?
Feb 15, 2010
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
Feb 14, 2010
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.
Vander Plaats Sets Stops in Carroll, Fort Dodge Mason City and Charles City on Feb. 16, 17
Feb 11, 2010
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.
Republicans Crush Democrats in Iowa Gubernatorial Generic Ballot
Feb 11, 2010
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’
Feb 08, 2010
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
Feb 05, 2010
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
Feb 05, 2010
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
Feb 04, 2010
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
Feb 04, 2010
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
Feb 03, 2010
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
Feb 01, 2010
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
Jan 26, 2010
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
Jan 26, 2010
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
Jan 19, 2010
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’
Jan 18, 2010
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
Jan 15, 2010
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’
Jan 12, 2010
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
Dec 29, 2009
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
Dec 23, 2009
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
Dec 16, 2009
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
Dec 14, 2009
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
Dec 01, 2009
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.
Does Anyone in the Culver Administration Know What’s Going On?
Sep 25, 2009
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
Sep 24, 2009
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.”
One Day After Chet “What, Me Worry?” Culver says State Retirement Fund is Ok
Sep 17, 2009
DES MOINES – Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal’s statement Wednesday that lawmakers will take action to shore up the ailing finances of the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System underscores anew Gov. Chet Culver’s failure to understand the gravity of challenges facing the state and his inability to provide effective leadership, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today.
Responding to a report from an actuarial consultant that IPERS is “in a deep hole” and could require more taxpayer money and sacrifices from the system’s members to ensure its long-term stability, Culver said Tuesday there is “no need for alarm.”
Vander Plaats: Set Up Fund to Repay Culver’s I-Jobs Budget Debacle
Sep 15, 2009
MANCHESTER, Iowa – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today that he will establish a fund during his first term in office to repay the massive long-term debt created by Gov. Chet Culver’s I-Jobs program.
In remarks prepared for the Delaware County GOP Dinner, Vander Plaats noted that Culver and legislative Democrats approved a plan this year in which the state has borrowed $800 million for a temporary jobs program that will cost taxpayers more than $1.7 billion over the next two decades. In addition, the bonds cannot be repaid before 2019.
The Results are In: Vander Plaats Wins Big Again
Sep 14, 2009
DES MOINES – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats scored a huge victory in a straw poll conducted at the Iowa Family Policy Center’s gubernatorial forum Saturday night, receiving 197 votes to easily outdistance a field in which former Gov. Terry Branstad received three votes.
Vander Plaats won by a more than 4-to-1 margin over the nearest candidate and beat the entire field by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. One announced candidate, state Sen. Jerry Behn of Boone, and one frequently mentioned prospective candidate, Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton, did not receive a single vote.
Vander Plaats Tours Ethanol Facility, Speaks to Students On 8th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
Sep 11, 2009
BOONE – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats spoke to high school students on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks today, sharing the words of his father, a veteran of the World War II battle of Iwo Jima, about freedom.
“Freedom isn’t free,” Vander Plaats said at Boone High School, where the Sioux City businessman began his career teaching business.
Vander Plaats Tours Council Bluffs Business
Sep 09, 2009
COUNCIL BLUFFS – Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats, who formally announced his candidacy for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination on Monday, toured Taylor Plastics in Pottawattamie County on Tuesday as part of a statewide tour of small- and medium-sized companies to learn more about how state government can help them grow and thrive.
Mike Taylor, who has been in business since 1991, gave Vander Plaats a tour of his rural Council Bluffs firm that specializes in plastic welding techniques. One of the company’s products is the Taylor Fountain, a maintenance-free, handicapped-accessible drinking fountain for parks and other recreational areas.
Vander Plaats to Culver: Don’t Wait, Bring Economic Improvement Group Together Now
Aug 26, 2009
SIOUX CITY – Republican gubernatorial front-runner Bob Vander Plaats said today that Governor Chet Culver should bring together the state’s best business minds to develop a plan to fix Iowa’s economic climate and stop mounting job losses, including Tuesday’s announcement that 400 Lake Mills workers will be laid off as their jobs are moved to Mexico.
“This isn’t something that can wait until the next governor takes office. This is something that needs to be done right now, immediately, today,” Vander Plaats said in remarks prepared for a campaign appearance in Howard County.
Vander Plaats: Culver’s Efficiency Firm Plans Shows He’s In Over His Head By Another $300,000
Aug 25, 2009
SIOUX CITY – Governor Chet Culver’s decision to spend another $300,000 in taxpayer money to hire a Pennsylvania efficiency firm in hopes of closing his $1 billion budget gap is further proof that he is “in over his head, sinking fast and frantically clawing to save his political life,” leading GOP challenger Bob Vander Plaats said today.
Vander Plaats To Make Gubernatorial Bid Official With Sept. 7 Announcenment in Sheldon
Aug 24, 2009
SIOUX CITY – Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats, the 2006 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor who is leading the field for the party’s 2010 gubernatorial nomination, will officially launch his campaign on Monday, Sept. 7 in his hometown of Sheldon in northwest Iowa.
Vander Plaats Dismisses Christopher Rants’ Attack On Core Principles On Health Care
Aug 19, 2009
DES MOINES – Bob Vander Plaats, the front-runner for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination, today dismissed an attack by fellow candidate Christopher Rants as “more of the same from a career politician.”
Vander Plaats: “Culver Claims Budget Glass Is Half Full When It’s Really Completely Empty”
Aug 04, 2009
DES MOINES – The insistence of Governor Chet Culver and his staff that state revenues went up in July, rather than down as the nonpartisan Legislative Service Agency reported, reflects a “bunker mentality” that could paralyze any efforts to fix Iowa’s mounting budget problems, Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats today.
First Scientific Poll of 2010 GOP Governor’s Race Has Vander Plaats Far Out in Front
Jul 15, 2009
DES MOINES – A scientific poll published today by TheIowaRepublican.com website shows Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats leading his nearest competitor by more than a three-to-one margin in the 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary.
The poll, conducted by the Washington, D.C., polling group Voter Consumer Research, shows Vander Plaats with 46 percent support among registered GOP voters, following by 27 percent undecided, 14 percent for former House Speaker Christopher Rants of Sioux City, 3 percent for Cedar Rapids political novice Christian Fong, 3 percent for Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley of Corydon, 1 percent for state Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll and 0.2 percent for state Sen. Jerry Behn of Boone. Five percent indicated support for another candidate or none of the candidates in the field.
Vander Plaats: Democrats Took Advantage of Flood Victims to Tax, Spend More
Jul 08, 2009
SIOUX CITY – The failure of Gov. Chet Culver and legislative Democrats to mesh the state’s tax code with federal disaster relief provisions was “simply a way to take money from people who had already suffered far too much,” Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats said today.
In a story published in today’s edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, state Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, said his party did not adopt the appropriate federal tax laws because the state would have taken in $56 million less in this fiscal year. Although Democrats refused to consider a GOP proposal to reduce spending by $300 million, McCoy said action to spare Iowans from the higher taxes was “a hit to the budget that, frankly, was not an option.” As a result, many Iowa flood victims who filed their state taxes early will be forced to repay refunds that were based on the federal guidelines.
Vander Plaats: Culver Can Takes Steps to Clean Up His Budget Mess
Jul 02, 2009
FORT DODGE – Gov. Chet Culver should freeze state workers’ pay, take a serious approach to government reorganization, work with legislative Republicans who proposed more than $300 million in budget savings and “ditch his firemen-first scare tactics” to resolve a massive deficit created by his own excessive spending habits, Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats said today.
“Republicans have solutions and an important first step for Chet Culver to take would be to work with our party to limit spending,” Vander Plaats said during a campaign stop in Fort Dodge. “The private sector is doing more with less these days but Chet Culver seems committed raising state spending and running a government that does less with more.”
Vander Plaats: Culver Needs Fiscal New Year’s Resolution to Curb His Out-of-Control Spending
Jul 01, 2009
SIOUX CITY – With the start of the new fiscal year today, Gov. Chet Culver should make a resolution to control his excessive spending habits that have already pushed the state to the brink of an illegal deficit.
“The Legislative Services Agency reported today that state revenues are $123 million less than the estimate the budget was based on. That may mean the state is deficit spending or Chet Culver’s budget director may be correct in saying he can transfer enough funds to ‘manage’ the estimated $58 million shortfall. Either way, Chet Culver’s irresponsible, out-of-control spending have left state government with a deficit or just pushed it to the very edge. He needs to make a resolution to change his ways,” Vander Plaats said today. “I realize that traditional New Year’s resolutions come on January 1, but the fiscal year starts today. Besides, because of Chet Culver’s irresponsible handling of the budget, we can’t afford to wait another minute for him to start a healthier fiscal regimen.”
National Conservative Leader David Barton Endorses Vander Plaats
Jun 29, 2009
MOUNT PLEASANT – Nationally known author, minister and political activist David Barton has endorsed Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats in the 2010 Iowa gubernatorial race.
Vander Plaats announced Barton backing during a Monday evening speech at the Henry County GOP Hog Roast, adding, “I’m looking forward to having David join us here in Iowa soon because he has such a deep base of supporters across our state. I know several candidates and potential candidates have sought his support because he commands tremendous respect and attention. Having him in our corner will be another crucial tool to motivate and mobilize grassroots Iowans next year.”
Vander Plaats Calls for Government Reorganization, Says Culver in “Fantasyland” on Budget
Jun 25, 2009
DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver’s claim that the state budget “should be all right” despite growing concerns from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency that the fiscal year will end with a deficit reflects a “hope you can’t believe in,” Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats said today.
“Chet Culver is hoping, not leading. If that’s the only kind of hope he has to offer, Iowans will be more convinced than ever that we need real change in the Governor’s Office,” Vander Plaats said today. “He’s living in Fantasyland.”
Vander Plaats: Unlike Other Candidates, I’ll Stand Up for Separation of Constitutional Powers
Jun 17, 2009
DES MOINES – Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats said today his willingness to take a strong stand to protect the separation of powers and hold activist courts in check distinguishes him from at least one of his primary election opponents, former House Speaker Christopher Rants.
Vander Plaats said during the Jan Mickelson program on WHO Radio with guest host Bill Salier that he would sign an executive order banning same-sex marriages as part of an effort to give Iowans the right to vote on the issue. Rants, who has said he does not believe the governor has the authority to sign an order, would limit his attempts to using the bully pulpit of the office.
Huckabee Endorses Vander Plaats Bid for Governor
Jun 10, 2009
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa – Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor who won Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses and vaulted onto the national stage during last year’s presidential campaign, today endorsed Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats in the 2010 Iowa gubernatorial race.
“Bob hasn’t officially announced his intentions yet but I don’t mind giving him a little nudge because the stakes are so high for Iowa. This state desperately needs new leadership and Bob’s determination to make great things happen is unequaled,” said Huckabee, who was the keynote speaker at Vander Plaats’ “Leadership at the Lakes” fund-raising event.
Vander Plaats: Legal Basis Exists For Executive Order To Stay Same-Sex Marriage To Allow Vote
Apr 22, 2009
DES MOINES – The Iowa Constitution clearly establishes Gov. Chet Culver with “supreme executive power” that allows him to issue an executive order staying county recorders from issuing same-sex marriage licenses on Monday, Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats said today.
Vander Plaats: Death Threat Against Sen. McCoy “Deplorable, Wrong Way To Oppose Same-Sex Marriage”
Apr 14, 2009
DES MOINES – Bob Vander Plaats released the following statement today in response to a report that state Sen. Matt McCoy, an advocate of same-sex marriages, received a death threat on Monday:
Vander Plaats: I’d Sign Executive Order to Stay Same-Sex Marriages to Allow Vote of Iowans
Apr 13, 2009
DES MOINES – Bob Vander Plaats released the following statement today in connection with his appearance at the Everyday Americans rally at the Iowa Statehouse in defense of one-man, one-woman marriage:
“Our state, like our federal government, was founded on a system of checks and balances. We have three separate but equal branches of government and, currently, two branches are in conflict. The legislative branch approved the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998 clearly stating that the institution of marriage is defined as one man and one woman. The judicial branch issued an opinion 10 days ago that reverses 161 years of state law and strikes down the Defense of Marriage Act. If we really believe we have three separate but equal branches of government and the legislative and judicial branches are in conflict, I believe the governor has the right, responsibility and obligation in this matter to issue an executive order to stay same-sex marriages.
Vander Plaats Responds To Culver 180-Degree Turn On Same-Sex Marriage: Leaders Don’t Cut and Run
Apr 07, 2009
SIOUX CITY – Bob Vander Plaats released the following statement in response to Gov. Chet Culver’s reversal of his earlier pledge to defend one-man, one-woman marriage:
Vander Plaats: Iowa Voters Should Be Allowed To Answer Same-Sex Marriage Question
Apr 03, 2009
DES MOINES – Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats issued the following statement on the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling concerning same-sex marriages:
Vander Plaats: I’d Veto Democrats’ Class Warfare Plan to Raise Taxes “In A Heartbeat”
Mar 31, 2009
DES MOINES – Bob Vander Plaats, a Sioux City Republican who was his party’s lieutenant governor nominee in 2006, said he would veto Democratic plans to burden more than 450,000 Iowans with news taxes by stripping away their right and ability to deduct their federal taxes on state returns.
Vander Plaats Statement On Democrats’ Plan to Eliminate Federal Deductibility From State Tax Returns
Mar 26, 2009
SIOUX CITY – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats issued the following statement today in response to legislative Democrats’ proposal to eliminate Iowans’ ability and right to deduct federal taxes from their state tax returns:
Culver’s Numbers Don’t Add Up, Economists Say
Mar 23, 2009
Vander Plaats: Once Again, Governor’s Long-Term Debt for Short-Term Gain is a Bad Deal for Iowa
SIOUX CITY – Fresh on the heels of proposing to sell the state lottery for a fraction of its real value in order to solve the budget problem he created, Gov. Chet Culver’s borrow-now-and-pay-later economic stimulus plan will only create one-tenth of the jobs he claims.
Vander Plaats: Culver’s Pay-To-Sit Health Care Forum Would Leave Iowans Holding The Bag
Mar 18, 2009
SIOUX CITY – Gov. Chet Culver’s plan to have Iowa businesses, unions or interest groups pay to participate in a health care forum underscores his administration’s mismanagement of the state budget, Bob Vander Plaats said this afternoon.
Culver’s office has dropped a plan to have health-care interest groups pay $5,000 each to sponsor a health-care reform meeting after The Des Moines Register raised questions about the practice. The forum, set for next Monday, is being co-hosted by the White House. A Culver spokesman said Wednesday afternoon that “the White House today informed us that sponsorships are not going to be allowed.”
Vander Plaats Names Teahen As Linn County Chair, Outlines Need For Government Reform
Mar 13, 2009
CEDAR RAPIDS – Peter Teahen, a local businessman, founder of AmericaReady and a well-known Red Cross volunteer, will be Linn County chair of Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats’ 2010 gubernatorial candidate committee, the two men said today at a news conference at Kirkwood Community College. Vander Plaats also called for a reform of the state’s education spending in order to increase jobs training at the state’s community colleges.
“I have respected Peter Teahen and his service to community and to humanity for a long time. He truly is a person of character who puts the well-being of others ahead of himself,” Vander Plaats said. “Peter’s history of service serves as an exemplary role model for me and for many others. I am truly honored to have Peter accept the role of county chair for Linn County. Peter knows what it takes to lead.”
Vander Plaats: Culver Goal To Gut Tax Incentives Reflects “Desperate, Misguided, Short-Sighted” Plan
Mar 09, 2009
SIOUX CITY – Plans by Gov. Chet Culver and Democratic legislators to gut tax incentives are “a desperate, misguided and short-sighted effort to maintain excessive state spending rather than fix the long-term problems” with the government’s budget, Bob Vander Plaats said today.
Vander Plaats: Redesign K-12 System To Direct More Resources To Classroom, Improve Performance
Mar 06, 2009
SIOUX CENTER – State government leaders need to redesign Iowa’s elementary and secondary education system to put more money in the classroom, improve student performance and increase teacher satisfaction, Bob Vander Plaats said this morning on the KDCR program “Conversations” with Dordt College President Dr. Carl Zylstra.
Roe to Serve As Hardin County Chairman For Vander Plaats Gubernatorial Candidate Committee
Mar 05, 2009
ELDORA – Julie Roe, a local Republican activist who was most recently involved with state Rep. Annette Sweeney’s winning 2008 campaign, will serve as Hardin County chair for Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats’ 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
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