Branstad, Vander Plaats in a 'dance:' Linn campaign leader

A third-party run is unlikely, but the leader of Bob Vander Plaats' Linn County campaign said it's yet not clear the Sioux City businessman will endorse GOP primary winner Terry Branstad for governor.

“There's a dance going on,” Peter Teahen of Cedar Rapids said June 17. “We've got to do something to pull the party together, but it's got to be more than talk.”

The “more than” would be to put Vander Plaats on the Republican ticket, Teahen said. However, according to various media reports a meeting between the rivals did not go well. Vander Plaats reportedly insisted on being Branstad's running mate.

Vander Plaats has not returned phone calls, but said in a text to an adviser that his immediate priorities are “to unite the party, defeat Chet Culver and ensure leadership 4 IA.”

The Branstad campaign has declined to comment on whether there have been any meetings or what might have been discussed.

However, spokesman Tim Albrecht said Branstad continues to reach out to all Republicans and conservatives and that “a broad base of support would include Vander Plaats supporters.”

Many Vander Plaats supporters – there were 92,742 of them in the June 8 primary – would like to see their candidate on the ballot, Teahen said.

“If you're looking at trying to unite a party … you can't ignore 90-some thousand voters,” the Cedar Rapids businessman said. GOP primary voters gave Branstad 50 percent of the vote, Vander Plaats, 41 percent, and Rep. Rod Roberts, 9 percent.

Branstad “can't walk away from half the party and expect to win in November,” Teahen said. “His strength isn't there without joining both sides of the party.”

Putting Vander Plaats on the ballot would signal his supporters that Branstad doesn't take them for granted and wants to reflect their values, he said.

Branstad needs to understand that “just because we are Republicans doesn't mean you own our souls and don't assume we'll come chasing after you,'” Teahen said.

The Branstad campaign “will continue to reach out to gather Roberts and Vander Plaats supporters,” Albrecht said. “There is room on this campaign for anyone who wants to see this state move forward with a job-creating, budget-balancing agenda.”

A third party run is not feasible for Vander Plaats, Teahen said. A candidate can always run on principle, “but you still have to pay for staff, you have to pay for the TV ads.”