Last week, during a stop in Cedar Rapids, former Gov. Terry Branstad was asked about the likelihood that he could choose former rival Christian Fong as his lieutenant governor.

Branstad, who has been traveling around the state holding events but has not yet officially joined the race, said it was too early to be talking about picking a running mate.

From the Cedar Rapids Gazette:

“He certainly is one that would be worth considering,” Branstad said about Fong, 32, before quickly adding, “There are many others you would want to look at as well.”

To many, it seems strange that this early in the process, with the Republican gubernatorial primary more than six months away, to be discussing running mates. But rumors have been swirling around a potential Branstad pick for months. In September, one of his chief rivals, Bob Vander Plaats, took a shot at Branstad when he said he was “not looking to balance the ticket with somebody who is moderate or liberal,” alluding to the choice of abortion-rights supporter Joy Corning by Branstad in 1990.

Branstad seemed to respond during an October meeting with a group of social conservative leaders. He said he planned to choose a younger conservative to run with him, which led many to look at the 32-year-old Fong.

Sources close to the campaign told The Iowa Independent that Branstad’s first choice is Doug Reichardt, chairman of the insurance brokerage Holmes Murphy & Associates Inc., although it is unknown whether he is interested in the position. Reichardt, 55, will step down as his company’s chairman Jan. 1 to become chairman emeritus. His father, Bill Reichardt, ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1994 but lost to Bonnie Campbell in the primary.

Other names that have been mentioned include former state Rep. Libby Jacobs and state Sen. Jerry Behn, who ended his own gubernatorial campaign Tuesday.