Iowa governor, history buff Branstad poised to make his own

DES MOINES - Sitting in a conference room on the ground level of the Iowa Capitol building that has been his professional home for 21 years, Terry Branstad is reflecting on his time as Iowa's chief executive.

But the 69-year-old Branstad is not only talking about his experience as governor, he's also relaying biographical notes about the man whose record he is about to surpass.

'He's kind of an interesting figure because he was not only governor, he was also a general in the Revolutionary Army, and his claim to fame was he put a log chain across the Hudson River,” Branstad said of former New York Gov. George Clinton, whose record as the nation's longest-serving governor Branstad will break this week.

'The British occupied New York City, but he kept the British fleet from getting upstate New York with this log chain across the Hudson, with cannons on both sides …

.”

'He also served as vice president under both (Presidents Thomas) Jefferson and (James) Madison.”

Branstad learned all about Clinton when he read a book given to him by Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann as a gift to commemorate Branstad's pending milestone.

'I read the book and learned a lot about early American history,” Branstad said.

A public servant with a passion for history, Branstad is about to make his own mark in history.

On Monday, Branstad will become the longest-serving governor in the nation's history. He will surpass, by one day, the tenure of Clinton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and New York's first governor in the country's infancy, from 1777 to 1795, and again from 1801 to 1804.

Monday will be Branstad's 7,642nd day in office as governor, surpassing Clinton's 7,641 days.

A celebration is scheduled for Monday evening in Des Moines to honor Branstad, who is wrapping up the first year of his sixth term as Iowa's governor. He was governor from 1983 to 1999 and returned to the office in 2011.

'It's been a great honor to serve. I'm a lifelong Iowan, and I love this state,” Branstad said. 'I feel honored that the people of Iowa have chosen me again and again to serve as their governor.”

‘Steady personality'

Those who know Branstad, including some who have held statewide elected office even longer from both political parties, say Iowa voters have remained loyal to Branstad over the years because of his political skill, his work ethic, his genuine approach with Iowa residents and his commitment to traveling across the state to visit with residents.

'I've worked with him, and I've watched him, and of course he's a Republican and I'm a Democrat, but I do respect his political skills and his ability to connect with people,” said Michael Fitzgerald, who has served as state treasurer since first being elected in 1982, the same election that put Branstad in the governor's office for the first time.

'He's a very steady personality. What you see is what you get, straightforward. I consider him to be intellectually honest.

'I disagree with him on all kinds of issues, and the approach that he takes. But …

when people vote for him, they know what they're going to get, and he delivers on what he proposes. And I think Iowans respect that - whether you are Republican or Democrat - if you're straight with them.”

Iowa voters have a propensity for showing loyalty to their statewide elected officials from both parties.

Fitzgerald and Attorney General Tom Miller, both Democrats, are the nation's longest-serving officials in their respective positions. From 1984 to 2010, Iowans voted both Republican Chuck Grassley and Democrat Tom Harkin to the U.S. Senate.

And now Branstad, who became Iowa's longest-serving governor during his first stint, is poised to make more national history for longevity.

'I think, first of all, people have to see you as, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, they have to see that you're working hard for Iowa and that you haven't forgotten your roots,” said Grassley, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980, has won re-election five times since and is an early, heavy favorite to win another term in 2016.

Kaufmann, who was a state legislator during Branstad's first period as governor, said he thinks that is true of Branstad: He has never forgotten his roots.

'I don't believe his values and his priorities have changed since he was a young boy in Lake Mills, Iowa. I really think he's essentially the same person he's always been,” said Kaufmann, who was a state legislator during Branstad's first gubernatorial stint and now serves as the state party chairman.

'The word that comes to my mind, in terms of how a person can do this and be this consistently popular in this state, is genuine. I don't think even the most hard-core Democrats can even argue about his genuine nature.”

Before being elected as governor, Branstad was a state legislator and lieutenant governor to Gov. Robert Ray.

Branstad succeeded Ray as governor and served at the height of the 1980s farm crisis, when land values dropped by a third, forcing thousands into bankruptcy and banks went out of business. Branstad said he remembers at one of his State of the State addresses, the Capitol gallery was filled with people carrying white crosses to symbolize the death of the family farm.

'It was a very stressful, difficult time,” Branstad said. 'But, you know, we worked at it day in and day out.”

Two Democrats, Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver, served as governor until Branstad was coaxed out of retirement. He returned to the Capitol with a 2010 victory over Culver.

Second time around

During his second run, Branstad has made dramatic changes.

Some proposals have had bipartisan support, such as the sweeping measures approved in 2013: a public kindergarten-through-12 education reform package; expansion of the federal and state health insurance program for low-income, disabled and elderly residents; and significant commercial property tax relief.

Branstad has made other changes with his executive authority, to the dismay of critics and his political opponents. He closed two state-run mental health institutions and is moving management of that state and federal health insurance program to private companies.

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds credits Branstad for twice strengthening the state's economy, for diversifying the economy after the farm crisis so the state was not so reliant on agriculture and for helping to spark the renewable energy industry that is booming in Iowa.

'He is such a visionary about finding new ways that we can grow and enhance the Iowa economy,” said Reynolds, who has been Branstad's lieutenant governor since his return to office in 2011. 'He's always looking at the next big idea. He looks outside the box.

'I think that's a tremendous asset as a leader, to not rest on what you've done and to continue to look ahead.”

Twenty-one years later, on the cusp of a significant milestone, Branstad said he still is looking forward, still looking ahead to the next big thing.

'I want to make a difference each and every day that I'm here,” Branstad said. 'And I'm not done. I've got some more big ideas that I want to accomplish. And I've got better than three years to work on that.

'I always say, you ain't seen nothing yet.”

Branstad remains uncommitted about his future. He will not say, publicly at least, whether he plans to run for re-election in 2018 or even if he will finish his current term. Some Iowa political watchers said Branstad conceivably could resign midterm to give Reynolds a running start at the 2018 election.

For now, Branstad plans to enjoy Monday night's celebration, one that is more than 21 years in the making, the result of a tenacious politician with a farmer's work ethic, a love of history and an ability to connect with the residents of his state.

'I think people like honesty and being straight forward. It breeds confidence, and I think that's something Iowans respond to very well,” Fitzgerald said. 'He's had quite a long career as governor, and that's been him.

'On all kinds of issues I could disagree with him and pull my hair out over it, but as for his character, that's who he is.”