Why He Matters
Terry Branstad challenged incumbent Chet Culver in Iowa’s 2010 gubernatorial race. If Branstad wins, it won’t be his first stay at Terrace Hill, the governor’s mansion in Des Moines.
Branstad became the youngest governor in state history with his election in 1982. He won reelection three times and remained in office for 16 years, making him the longest-serving governor in Iowa’s history. Branstad chose not to seek reelection in 1998.
In an election year in which longtime, establishment politicians have struggled, Branstad has found success. He won the Republican primary with 50 percent of the vote and is considered the favorite to defeat Culver in the general election.
The governor of Iowa has singificant influence thanks to the state’s role as the first battleground in presidential elections. If Branstad returns to power, Republican hopefuls will court his support and endorsement in the months leading up to the 2012 Iowa caucus.
Path To Power
Branstad has lived in Iowa his entire life. He grew up in a farming family in Leland and earned a degree in political science from the University of Iowa in 1969. After college, Branstad served in the Army for two years and received the Army Commendation Medal. He graduted from law school at Drake University, where he met his wife, Chris.
Three-Term Governor
Branstad’s political career began early, and he has been a force in Iowa politics ever since. He was elected to the Iowa House in 1972 at age 25, and he served for six years. He left to serve as Gov. Robert Ray’s lieutenant governor in 1979. When Ray decided not to run again four years later, Branstad entered the gubernatorial race and became the youngest governor in state history.
President, Des Moines University
After three successful reelection bids and 16 years in office, Branstad stepped away from politics in 1999 to become a financial adviser in the private sector. He accepted a position as the president of Des Moines University in 2003 and headed the school for six years. Why Branstad, Campaign web site, Accessed Oct. 28, 2010(2)Why Branstad, Campaign web site, Accessed Oct. 28, 2010
2010 Gubernatorial Race
But Branstad’s political retirement came to an end on Oct. 16, 2009, when he resigned from Des Moines University and announced his candidacy for another term as governor.
Culver was originally expected to stride to a relatively easy reelection fight, but issues like the legalization of same-sex marriage had him on the defensive in a very bad year for Democrats in the competitive, swing state.
The Issues
Like many Republicans in the 2010 election season, Branstad has focused his campaign on hot-button issues like the economy and the size of government. He has touted his own accomplishments from his 16 years as governor while criticizing Chet Culver’s (D) actions in office over the past four years.
Job Creation
Branstad’s campaign has emphasized the need to create an attractive environment for small- business owners and entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses in the state. Branstad wants to slash commercial property taxes and give startups tax breaks in their first years of operation in Iowa.
“Our commercial property tax is among the highest in the country,and we need to reduce it,” he said. “We’ve proposed that new businesses should be allowed to function for three years without (corporate income or sales) taxes and then phase those taxes in over time.”
Branstad has also vowed to halve Iowa’s corporate income tax rates.
The Size of Government
Throughout the 2010 campaign, Branstad has spoken out against the state’s budget deficit and stressed the need for government reorganization.
“We ought to be reducing the size and cost of government, and I’ve said I would do that,” Branstad declared.
To accomplish this while simultaneously cutting taxes, Branstad has proposed a series of government reforms, including selling the state motor-vehicle fleet, reforming the pension system for state employees and merging the state’s six different email systems. .
Preschool Education
Branstad also proposed cuts to the state’s funding of preschool education, and the issue became one of the most controversial during the 2010 campaign. Branstad opposes free preschool education for all Iowa children. Instead, he favors a system in which families that can afford to pay for preschool do so and those that can’t are given financial assistance by the state.
“My children went to private schools, and we paid tuition,” Branstad said. “Those who have need should be allowed scholarships to attend Catholic, Christian, nonprofit and public schools.”
Same-sex Marriage
As governor, Branstad signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998. The Iowa Supreme Court struck down the law in 2009, making same-sex marriage legal in the state. Branstad’s supports an amendment to Iowa’s constitution that would define marriage as between a man and a woman: