Romney’s Iowa Campus Chairs Announced

Sixteen young adults have been named by the Romney for President campaign as leaders of a grassroots campaigns on Iowa's college campuses.

The announcement is the first since March when the formation of the the first chapter of “Iowa Students for Romney” was announced at the University of Northern Iowa. It also comes nearly six weeks after the formation and announcement of the “New Hampshire Students for Romney.”

“The hard work of these college and university students will play a pivotal role in the success of our grassroots organization,” Gentry Collins, Iowa Romney for President Campaign Manager, stated in email.

Those serving as chairs include:

• Donald Bladt (Cornell College, Chair): Bladt grew up on a firm outside of Shelby. He is a sophomore chemistry major, a member of the football team and a member of the Health Professions Society.
• Tristan Cook (Cornell College, Co-Chair) Cook is a senior from Madison, WI. He is a double major in history and psychology with a minor in American politics. Prior to his involvement with “Students for Romney,” he worked on Congressman Jim Leach’s re-election campaign in 2006.
• Phil Jeneary (Central College) Jeneary is a senior at Central College majoring in political science, and is from Le Mars. He has interned with Sen. Chuck Grassley in Washington, D.C., and has previously campaigned for Pres. George W. Bush, Grassley, Rep. Steve King and gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle.
• Ashton Schmidt (Drake University) Schmidt is a sophomore at Drake University majoring in marketing and minoring in theatre. She is a graduate of Denison High School. Schmidt is currently the publicity chair for the Drake Chapter of College Republicans.
• Luke Martz (Iowa State University) Martz is from Muscatine. He is 20 years old and studying political science. He is an active member of the College Republicans and the Solar Car Team. He is also an FAA certified pilot.
• Geoff Gustitus (Loras College) Gustitus is a junior at Loras College majoring in political science and Business. He is the chapter chair of the Loras College Republicans as well as the Dubuque Regional Coordinator for the Iowa Federation of College Republicans.
• Colton Long (Luther College) Long is a sophomore majoring in both political science and communications. Colton has been involved in Iowa politics since he was a young child, and is a strong supporter of personal responsibility, fiscal conservatism, and national security at home and abroad.
• Casandra Young (Morningside College, Chair) Young is a native of San Luis Obispo, CA and is a political science and mass communication major at Morningside College. Young was recently elected president of the Morningside College Republicans for the 2007-08 year. She has participated in volunteer work with the King for Congress Campaign, Nussle for Governor and President Bush’s visit in Le Mars in 2006.
• Kathryn Kotlik (Morningside College, Co-Chair) Kotlik is a native of Bellevue, NE and a junior political science and Spanish major. Kotlik was elected as the Vice President of the Morningside College Republicans for the 2007-2008 year. Kotlik worked on the King for Congress and Nussle for Governor campaigns this past year.
• Amanda Allen (Northwestern College) Allen is a junior majoring in political science, with a French minor. Originally from Lebanon, OR, Allen became active with the College Republicans and volunteered for Bush’s reelection campaign in 2004. During her time at Northwestern, she has also been active in Sioux County Republican politics, as well as campaigning for King and Nussle in 2006.
• Matt O’Brien (University of Dubuque) O’Brien was born and raised in Dubuque. He is currently a sophomore, majoring in environmental science. O’Brien plans to go to graduate school for soil science.
• Ben Johnson (University of Iowa) Johnson started three Young Republicans clubs in his and surrounding high schools. He is the past-chairman of the Kirkwood College Republicans and the current chairman of the statewide Iowa Federation of College Republicans. Johnson has worked for Grassley, Leach and Mayor Paul Pate.
• Carrie Janura (University of Iowa) Carrie is a sophomore from Geneva, IL, majoring in business and pursuing a minor in law. Janura also volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City.
• Melissa Mozingo (University of Northern Iowa) Mozingo is a junior, majoring in international marketing. She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA). Mozingo has been active in politics since high school.
• Janna Carson (William Penn University) Carson is a freshman involved in the following campus programs: women’s soccer, student ambassador, resident assistant, William Penn University College Republican-Public Relations Director, and is the 2007-2008 Student Government Public Relations Director.
• Michael Bahr (Ellsworth Community College) Bahr was born in Iowa Falls and is a 2005 graduate of Iowa Falls-Alden High School. He is currently a sophomore majoring in political science. Bahr ran for City Council at age 18 and lost to the incumbent by nine votes. Bahr is currently a 2007 City Council candidate.