Vander Plaats doesn't rule out third-party campaign for governor

After more than two weeks, Bob Vander Plaats, the runner-up in the Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary,  broke his silence June 25, telling a radio audience his loss to four-time Gov. Terry Branstad was “tough to get over … but one you can live with.”

However, Vander Plaats, 47, a Sioux City businessman who has run for the GOP nomination three times, didn't endorse Branstad and didn't rule out running as a third-party candidate.

“A lot of things would have to line up for us to consider an independent run,” Vander Plaats said on Steve Deace's show on WHO NewsRadio June 25.

Vander Plaats, who said he has not been invited to the Republican Party of Iowa state convention Saturday, wants respect for himself and the 41 percent of voters in the GOP primary who supported him. Branstad received 50 percent of the vote and Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll received 9 percent.

Also, he didn't rule out accepting the nomination for lieutenant governor if he's drafted by delegates.

Branstad expects delegates will confirm his selection of Sen. Kim Reynolds of Osceola as his running mate. He said he'll accept the delegates' decision.

Branstad is challenging first-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver. Polls show Branstad with a double-digit lead.

Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht said Branstad-Reynolds team has the support of the “overwhelming majority of conventions delegates” and predicted that enthusiastic support will be on display Saturday.

Vander Plaats, 47, a Sioux City businessman, met with Branstad following the primary. He told Branstad his priorities are uniting the party, beating Chet Culver and leadership based on conservative principles.

The meeting did not go well, he said. He sensed little interest in his thoughts or in Branstad reaching out to his supporters. His takeaway was that Culver has more problems with his base than Branstad has with the GOP base, Vander Plaats said. Also, Branstad believes he can defeat Culver by winning over independent.

Unless Branstad reaches out to him and his supporters, Vander Plaats said the divide in the party will not close anytime soon.

Although during the primary campaign, Vander Plaats insisted he had “no interest, no desire and no intent” to run as a third-party candidate, he's being encouraged to run as an independent.

He would run to be a voice and a champion for the people who supported him.

 “If they are not going to have a voice within this party, if they are not going to have respect within this party, if they are not going to have their issues championed in this party, that is the only way I would say, ‘You know I might consider an independent run,'” he said.

Even then, he would run only if he had a “clear chance” of winning.

He has not made any decision about running,

“In fact, I have not walked very far down that road to say that's in the mix right now,” he said.

If he isn't the party's candidate for lieutenant governor or an independent candidate, Vander Plaats will work for legislative and statewide candidates. He'll also recruit candidates.