Stories

Now that former House Speaker Christopher Rants has jumped into the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, he is the frontrunner for his party’s nomination to take on incumbent Democrat Chet Culver, according to Civic Skinny, gossip columnist for Cityview.
Noting that it will take “deft footwork” to move from a successful primary campaign to a successful general election [...]

Four men publicly mulling a run for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2010 will gather together for a second time next month for a forum sponsored by IowaPolitics.com.
State Sen. Jerry Behn, former House Speaker Christopher Rants, state Rep. Rod Roberts and Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats have agreed to attend the event being held [...]

The offer is simple: come to the Sac County Republicans’ summer fundraiser, announce you’re running for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, and you will get a portion of any money raised that day.

Confirmed guests include state Sen. Jerry Behn, former House Speaker Christopher Rants, state Rep. Rod Roberts and Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats; but the county GOP chair knows that an official announcement at the event is unlikely.

Controversial Christian radio host Steve Deace and conservative blogger Craig Robinson are teaming up to test the field of potential candidates to take on Gov. Chet Culver in 2010.

Republican state Rep. Rob Roberts of Carroll told his hometown paper Monday that while he has yet to decide whether he will seek his party’s nomination for governor in 2010, he is more interested in a running than he has ever been.
And several GOP strategists told Carroll Daily Times Herald columnist and Iowa Independent alum [...]

State Rep. Rob Robers, R-Carroll, told the Sioux City Journal he is weighing a run for governor in 2010.
The five-term Republican said “converstations are taking place” about what his campaign team might look like and who is likely to support him. However, he does not have a timetable for making his decision.

“We finally got a man who I think really showed some intelligence,” said Butch Heisterkamp, chairman of the Carroll County Democratic Party, as he reflected on President-elect Barack Obama’s local success.