Branstad forming exploratory committee for governor; not yet running

Former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad is taking another step to a possible 2010 run for governor today by forming an exploratory campaign committee.

Richard Schwarm, a Lake Mills lawyer, former Iowa GOP chairman and long-time Branstad friend, said the purpose of the “Terry Branstad for 2010 Committee” is “to continue to explore the availability of support and resources for a possible Branstad candidacy” for governor next year.

Schwarm said the filing of an initial statement of organization with the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board is required because more than $750 has been spent in the effort to gauge political and financial support for a Branstad challenge to first-term incumbent Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in 2010.

Mary Vermeer Andringa, president and chief executive officer of Vermeer Corp. in Pella, will serve as the Branstad committee chairwoman.

“Terry Branstad has not made a decision on what he will do,” Schwarm said today. “He remains focused on his responsibilities as president of Des Moines University.”

However, he added “Terry is considering it. There's a lot of speculation.”

Sandy Greiner, a former state legislator who has been leading a draft Branstad effort, hailed today's development as a “great day for future generations of Iowans” and a significant step in moving closer to a Branstad candidacy.

“Iowans have spoken and Gov. Branstad has listened,” she said in a statement.

Branstad, 62, left political office in January 1999 after serving four, four-year terms as Iowa's chief executive. He has served as president of Des Moines University since 2003.

Six Republican candidates have already expressed interest in running for their party's 2010 gubernatorial nomination.

Culver has indicated he expects to seek re-election, and Democratic strategists have compiled an arsenal of information on Branstad's record as governor from 1983 to 1999 in anticipation of his return to Iowa politics.

Although many Republicans think Branstad is in the best position to beat Culver, his entry into the race would likely underscore divisions in the party that have developed since he left office in 1998.

When Branstad ran for his last term in 1994, he faced a primary challenge from then-U.S. Rep. Fred Grandy, who campaigned as a moderate. Since then, social and religious conservatives have taken control of the party, and some would undoubtedly question Branstad's record of dealing with Democrats in the Legislature, his position on social issues and the fact that he signed into law two increases in the state sales tax and an increase in the gasoline tax.

Some also have noted that Branstad appointed the Iowa Supreme Court justice who authored a decision this year legalizing gay marriage.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.