Vander Plaats candidacy could doom GOP hopes of beating Culver (Iowa)

[ccharles000]

While it remains unclear just how serious Bob Vander Plaats is considering an independent run for governor, one thing almost everyone agrees on is that his candidacy would almost assuredly guarantee another term for Democratic incumbent Gov. Chet Culver.

“The numbers right now show a substantial lead for registered Democrats over registered Republicans,” former GOP U.S. Senate candidate Bill Salier said during a recent appearance on WHO-AM’s Deace in the Afternoon. “If you take another, let’s say 7 percent of the vote away from Branstad… I think it would spell the doom of a Branstad candidacy. I don’t think he can overcome the 108,000 difference in registered voters and a third-party candidacy. I think that would do him in.”

News broke Thursday that a meeting had occurred between Vander Plaats and GOP gubernatorial nominee Terry Branstad. At that meeting, Vander Plaats, who finished second in the GOP gubernatorial primary, apparently asked for a spot on the ticket, an idea that was rejected. That rejection opened the door for a potential third-party run for governor this fall.

Several sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Iowa Independent this week that Vander Plaats is seriously considering a run, with the chances of him entering the race at about 50/50. Since the rumors became public, Vander Plaats had repeatedly refused comment to the media, but the Cedar Rapids Gazette’s James Lynch reports he did send a text message to one of his advisers stating his immediate priorities as, “to unite the party, defeat Chet Culver and ensure leadership 4 IA.”

http://iowaindependent.com/37066/vander-plaats-candidacy-could-doom-gop-hopes-of-beating-culver

[petersjo02]

1. Anything that leads to a Branstad defeat

is OK by me. Go for it Bob!