Pate may seek return to Secretary of State office

CEDAR RAPIDS – Former Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is poised to join Terry Branstad and Roxanne Conlin in a “Back to the Future” election in 2010.

Pate, 51, who served one term as Secretary of State from 1995-1999 after being elected to the state Senate twice, confirmed Friday he's considering a return to the Statehouse.

If he runs, the Cedar Rapids paving contractor would join Branstad, who served as governor from 1983 to 1997, and Conlin, who ran against Branstad in 1982, in seeking to put their names on a statewide ballot. All three likely would face primary contests.

“Someone needs to step up. We got a lot of issues facing the state and I don't think we have the leadership we need right now,” said Pate, who served two terms as mayor before returning to private life in 2005.

He's proud of what he accomplished in the office, especially in terms of voter registration, voter participation and streamlining the office's business operations.

Although two Republicans – former Rep. George Eichhorn of Stratford and Council Bluffs City Councilman Thomas Schultz -- have indicated an interest in challenging first-term Democrat Mike Mauro, Pate said GOP activists have encouraged him to join Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Auditor David Vaudt, both Republicans seeking re-election, and, possibly, Branstad as part of a team of candidates who would return leadership and fiscal responsibility to state government.

“We need a team effort – legislators, governor, secretary of state, all statewide officials – to lead an effort to lean out a state government that has gotten too fat and lost our focus,” Pate said.

The likelihood of Branstad and Sen. Chuck Grassley at the top of the 2010 GOP ticket makes the race more appealing, Pate said. Their presence would help all Republicans candidates, he said.

Pate's not concerned by the prospects of a primary.

“I've run in primaries before, so that's not a factor,” Pate said. “It's more about whether I think I can do something good for the party and the state.”

The other candidates for Secretary of State have “great credentials,” Pate said, “but we need to put the best candidates on the field. I'm not saying we don't have good candidates, but need the best.”

That means candidates with name identification, who can raise money “and, obviously, able to get votes,” Pate said. “I would compliment that winning team.”

Pate is weighing family considerations as he eyes another campaign. He and his wife, Jane, have three grown children. “I'm on the next round,” he said, referring to his two grandchildren.

He'll make a decision prior to the Jan. 23 precinct caucuses.