Iowa business group endorses Branstad for governor

UPDATED

Former Gov. Terry Branstad picked up the endorsement of a leading Iowa employers' group Monday (Aug. 2) despite Gov. Chet Culver's efforts to revive the state's sagging economy.

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry's (ABI) Political Action Committee endorsed Branstad, a Republican who served four terms between 1983 and 1999 saying Iowa needs a change in direction and a change in leadership.

“We need a new leader with experience in dealing with tough times. Someone who isn't afraid to make tough choices,” said ABI board chairwoman Sarah McDonald Hasken of Dubuque. “We've found that in Terry Branstad.”

The PAC represents 1,400 businesses that employ more than 300,000 Iowans.

Branstad, who served as president of Des Moines University after leaving the governor's office, is challenging Culver, a first-term Democrat who, according to his campaign spokesman, has been an asset to Iowa businesses.

“Gov. Culver has done a lot for business in Iowa. He's made it a priority to recruit new businesses here, like GoDaddy and Microsoft,” said spokeswoman Ali Glisson. “Others, like John Deere and Pioneer, have been making new hires here in Iowa. Eagle Manufacturing in Fort Dodge expects to hire 300 Iowans under their new contract with the EnVision Motor Company.”

Business leaders also support Culver's initiatives like preschool and I-JOBS investments in infrastructure, she said.

However, in today's tough economy Iowa businesses have had to do more with less, said Kirk Tyler, chair of Iowa Industry PAC.

“When revenues tightened, we didn't spend more than we took in,” he said. “We've had to think of new ways to deliver quality service at a lower cost. At the same time, we haven't seen the same kind of leadership for our state during these tough times. We need Terry Branstad as governor.”

However, Glisson said the state budget is smaller today than when Culver took office.

“It's been balanced every single day and Governor Culver's done it all without raising taxes on everyday Iowans,” she said. “Branstad kept two sets of books though, and ran massive budget deficits while hiding the truth from Iowans. The contrast of the two candidates' records is clear.

McDonald Hasken said ABI members don't believe that our state is on the right track.

“Instead of facing tough challenges, our state's has borrowed millions of dollars and pushed problems down to future generations,” she said. “Instead of providing leadership in making Iowa a better place for employers to grow, our state has considered job-killing policies that effectively take Iowa out-of-the-running for economic development.”

Branstad welcomed the endorsement and promised to be a “pro-business, pro-growth governor who will reduce taxes and not increase debt.”

“I believe Iowa's best days lie ahead, but only if we have the resolve and the will to fix the state's budget, make government more efficient, and work day-in and day-out to encourage job creation,” he said.

For more on Branstad, visit www.GovernorBranstad2010.com.

For more on Culver, visit

www.ChetCulver.com.