Behn ends his 2010 GOP gubernatorial bid

DES MOINES – The pool of Iowa Republicans seeking to unseat Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in 2010 has shrunk to four.

State Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone, said Tuesday he was dropping from the race for his party's gubernatorial nomination in the June 8 primary election and supporting former Gov. Terry Branstad's bid.

“My goal all along has been to replace Culver,” Behn said in an interview.

“I believe now more than ever Iowa needs a chief executive who comprehends the enormous opportunity we have to reform state government. I put my full support behind the campaign of Gov. Branstad,” he added. “I thought there's no sense in a long, drawn out primary.”

Behn, 55, who farms in rural Boone County, was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 1996. He joined fellow GOP Sen. Paul McKinley of Chariton and Cedar Rapids business executive Christian Fong in exiting the 2010 GOP field.

Branstad, Sioux City business consultant Bob Vander Plaats and Reps. Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, and Rod Roberts, R-Carroll, remain candidates seeking the GOP nomination next June to challenge Culver, a first-term Democrat, in the November 2010 election.

Branstad, who plans to officially declare his candidacy next month, said he welcomed Behn's support as a sign his campaign is gaining momentum.

“I look forward to working with Jerry as we discuss the ideas and tools needed in order to lead Iowa's comeback,” said Branstad, who previously served four, four-year terms as governor from 1983 to 1999. “Jerry's assistance and guidance will be valuable to our campaign as we continue advancing a conservative, pro-economic development agenda.”

Behn said he threw his hat into the ring last August because he believed Iowa could do better in creating good-paying jobs, balancing the state budget and providing quality education for its young people.

The four-term senator said he likely would not have launched a gubernatorial bid had he known that Branstad planned to enter the 2010 GOP field. He said his fundraising effort dropped off significantly once Branstad retired as Des Moines University president and began exploring a political comeback.

“I've consistently said that in times of trouble you resort to the basics and that's the ABCs – an in this particular case anybody but Culver,” Behn said.

“I've said from the beginning that I want to change governors and Gov. Branstad is in the best position to do that,” he added. “We need to help Iowa move forward and I think the best thing I can do is help Gov. Branstad get elected.”

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