Culver makes appointments to EPC, Power Fund board

DES MOINES -- Gov. Chet Culver appointed two women to state boards Wednesday after they failed to gain confirmation for other positions earlier this year in the Iowa Senate.On Wednesday, Culver appointed Shearon Elderkin of Cedar Rapids to the Iowa Power Fund Board and Carrie La Seur of Mount Vernon to the Environmental Protection Commission.

Culver had previously appointed La Seur to the Iowa Power Fund Board, and Elderkin to the Environmental Protection Commission. The Iowa Senate refused to confirm them in those roles earlier this year after Republicans withheld their votes for the nominees.

Culver's action means the women can serve in the new appointments until the Iowa Senate has a chance to consider them next year.

Culver also announced Wednesday he had appointed John Mathes to serve as the interim Commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home and Tomas Rodriguez as the State Public Defender.