Gubernatorial candidates continue final push

MASON CITY - Down in the polls but not in spirit, State Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, urged supporters in Mason City on Wednesday get out the vote on election day.

'Impossible dreams are worth fighting for,” Hatch told a group of about 30 supporters at Democratic headquarters. We're only limited by those who don't dream.”

Hatch told the story of an Iowa girl he met several years ago when she was a child interested in music. He met her again recently and learned she had signed a recording contract in Nashville. The young woman said she was motivated and encouraged by her mother to make her dream come true.

'I want state government to be the mother of all of our dreams,” he said.

Hatch said Gov. Terry Branstad, seeking his sixth term, has 'ping-ponged” education policies for political purposes, particularly with his opposition to funding early childhood education.

'Every preschooler deserves a fresh start,” he said.

Hatch accused the governor of having 'feet of clay” and said he is ready to be taken down.

Referring to State Sen. Amanda Ragan and State Rep. Sharon Steckman, both Mason City Democrats, he said, 'You're not sending Amanda and Sharon (to Des Moines) to do his work. You're sending them there to do your work.”

Hatch also favors raising the mandatory attendance age for high schoolers from 16 to 18. 'We want a 100 percent graduation rate,” he said.

Hatch said he hopes voters recognize him as an accomplished legislator, a successful small business person and someone who is always willing to reach out to all Iowans.

'There are Iowans who are working toward that impossible dream and I want to work with them to make that happen,” he said.

'And if you don't believe that can happen, you're selling yourself short.”

Hatch was introduced by his running mate, Monica Vernon of Cedar Rapids. He made five other campaign stops Wednesday.

Branstad campaigned in four eastern and central Iowa cities Wednesday. He wrapped up the public campaign portion of his day at Moo's BBQ on the square in Newton.

Most polls have showed Branstad leading Hatch by double digits --- a new Quinnipiac University Poll released Wednesday showed Branstad ahead by 19 points --- but the incumbent is not resting on his apparent advantage.

'I don't believe in taking anything for granted. I think one of the reasons why I've never lost an election is nobody ever works harder than I do,” Branstad said after touting his administration's accomplishments to roughly 20 supporters in Newton. 'I think Iowans appreciate a leader that is a good listener and works hard.”

Branstad said he hopes his campaign events also help other Republicans on the ticket. He appeared in Newton on Wednesday with 2nd District U.S. House candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks, State Auditor Mary Mosiman, and statehouse candidates Chrystal Bruntz and Pat Payton.

'I'm trying to do that, too. I want to lead the whole team to victory,” Branstad said. 'We have a very important (U.S.) Senate race here, so we're trying to do all we can to help Joni Ernst. I think she's got the right background to serve Iowa in the Senate.”

Branstad lauded Miller-Meeks - his former director of public health - and said he's hoping to help statehouse candidates so Republicans can gain control of both chambers of the Iowa Legislature.

'There's a number of key races around the state. I'm trying to do all I can to help in all of them,” Branstad said.

Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy contributed to this report.