Black leader endorses Vander Plaats; cites lack of action by Culver on state hiring practices

DES MOINES – An African-American leader announced plans to back GOP candidate for governor Bob Vander Plaats, citing a lack of action by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver to address racial bias in the state's hiring practices as one of the reasons.

Keith Ratliff Sr., president of the Iowa/Nebraska Conference of the NAACP and a Des Moines pastor, made the announcement at a Statehouse news conference Monday.

Ratliff, a registered Democrat, supported Culver in his first bid for governor and said he has never voted Republican.

“I have politically found that not all Democrats are our friends, and not all Republicans are our enemies,” Ratliff said. “We must continue to find common ground, and we need more minorities to be involved in a number of different political arenas so we're not taken for granted by some.”

He cited Culver's executive order with “no teeth” meant to reduce disparities in the hiring of minorities by state government. That order created a council to lead diversity efforts in state government and required diversity training for state employees.

Ratliff also expressed concerns that recommendations made by the NAACP and approved by a special governor's task force haven't been implemented.

The state currently is the subject of a class-action lawsuit claiming widespread racial bias in hiring alleged by African Americans around the state.

Ratliff said some changes have been made to address a problem that existed many years, but more still needs to be done.

“I think it's reprehensible what has taken place, and I think it's taken too long to get this process moving in a positive direction,” Ratliff said.

Ratliff also cited Vander Plaats' position against same-sex marriage as another important factor in his endorsement.

Vander Plaats said he pursued Ratliff for the endorsement, and doesn't think African Americans are going to vote in a bloc for Culver.

“This isn't about party; it's not about establishment politics. This is about the best future for our state,” Vander Plaats said.

Vander Plaats, a Sioux City businessman, is one of six GOP candidates who have announced plans to run for governor or are exploring a run. Vander Plaats has run for governor twice before and was Jim Nussle's running mate in Nussle's unsuccessful 2006 bid for governor.

Andrew Roos, manager of Culver's re-election campaign, stressed that the endorsement was by an individual who has been outspoken on specific social issues.

“It's not surprising that he would endorse Mr. Vander Plaats, who has made those divisive social issues so essential to his campaign," Roos said.

 On the issue of hiring practices, Roos said Culver has taken action.

“Gov. Culver has a real record to stand on,” Roos said.