Branstad: Regents nominees deserve opportunity to be confirmed

Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday his three appointees to the Board of Regents “deserve the opportunity to be confirmed.”

Branstad called on the Democratic-controlled Senate to bring up his trio of nominees for a confirmation vote based on their qualifications, not a political litmus test.

Two of the Republican governor's appointees – Craig Lang of Brooklyn and Robert Cramer of Grimes – have drawn opposition from Senate Democrats. They've questioned Lang's commitment to academic freedom in regard to the proposed Harkin Institute at Iowa State University. Senators also suggested Cramer's social conservative views, including his activities with The Family Leader, make him unsuitable as a regent. The Education Committee sent their names to the full Senate “without recommendation.”

The committee recommended the confirmation of a third nominee, Subhash Sahai of Webster City.

“I believe the people I have appointed are very well qualified, have the experience and the ability that we need on the regents now,” Branstad said April 1. “I've offered to meet with every senator. I've written a personal letter to each senator explaining the reasons why I've chosen the three people I've chosen.”

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said March 28 that after his 26-member caucus discussed Branstad's appointees he told the governor's staff who he thought might be in danger of not being confirmed.

“You can jump to whatever conclusions you want,” Gronstal said.

“Nothing has changed,” Gronstal said Monday afternoon, adding “We don't take this lightly.”

Despite the opposition to his nominees voiced by senators, Branstad wasn't willing to assume they will be rejected.

“I've been through this a few times before,” the five-term governor said. “I've heard these predictions time and time again. You don't know until you actually come to a vote. I believe that based on the merits and the experience and the abilities of these individuals that people ought to give them another look.”

He hopes senators “will do the right thing” and confirm his nominees.

Branstad wouldn't speculate on whether he would appoint Lang and Cramer after the Legislature adjourns should they be rejected by the Senate.

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