Branstad mum on run for governor

By James Q. Lynch

The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Former Gov. Terry Branstad is keeping mum about whether he'll make a run at an unprecedented fifth term.

In recent remarks and by scheduling appearances at fundraisers for an Eastern Iowa Republican legislator, Branstad, who served four terms as governor from 1983-1999, has fueled speculation he'll challenge first-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver in 2010.

The normally talkative Branstad, who typically is willing to talk to the media, has turned down requests for an interview when he's in Iowa City Wednesday for a fundraiser for Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton. Branstad also is scheduled to do a fundraiser for Kaufmann in Muscatine.

His secretary at Des Moines University, where Branstad is president of the medical school, said the former governor is not granting interviews “until he makes up his mind.” In the meantime, Margaret Hough said, Branstad is concentrating on his work at the college of osteopathic medicine.

He accepted the invitation to attend Kaufmann's fundraisers last year, she said, and is simply honoring those commitments.

Branstad hasn't indicated when he'll make a decision about challenging Culver.

Several Republicans have announced they are running or exploring a run include Rep. Christopher Rants and businessman Bob Vander Plaats, both of Sioux City; Iowa Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton; businessman Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids; Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll and Sen. Jerry Behn of Boone.