Gazette endorsement for U.S. Senate

Five Republican candidates are seeking one of Iowa's two U.S. Senate seats, long held by Democrat Tom Harkin, who is retiring. The winner will face current 1st District Congressman Bruce Braley, unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the November general election.

U.S. SENATE (r): MARK JACOBS

As we see it, and the polls reflect, Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines and Joni Ernst of Red Oak are the strongest candidates in a large field.

Ernst, who has served in a National Guard leadership role as well as being deployed to Iraq, clearly understands our nation's military and its strengths and weaknesses. She has an impressive record of service as a county auditor and most recently as a state senator. Her conservative credentials are well established.

Jacobs is seeking elected office for the first time. He spent a big chunk of his work career outside of Iowa.

Yet he also brings impressive credentials and something Erst lacks: proven business experience and success on a large stage and more perspective on a global scale.

Jacobs is the former CEO of Reliant Energy, a Texas company that was in deep financial trouble before he arrived and revived the firm. Before that, he was a successful Wall Street investor. He's a multimillionaire, who retired at age 52. He's learned lessons in the private sector about eliminating waste and fraud, and creating new efficiencies that he says can be applied to the federal government. He wants Congress to create a better environment for economic growth by reviewing regulatory burdens on businesses small and large, including agriculture, and fostering more partnerships instead of excessive punitive action. When it comes to the national budget deficit, Jacobs points out that a 1 percent increase in the economy's growth rate would wipe out half the deficit within 10 years.

This was a difficult choice. And given the nature of big business's influence on Congress, we are a bit skeptical on whether Jacobs can fulfill his self-described independent statesman's role and take stands against those special interests that don't respect the national interest.

Nonetheless, Jacobs has the talent, experience and collaborative skills that could serve well our state and the nation.