Dems expect Hatch to choose Cedar Rapids woman as running mate

CEDAR RAPIDS - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jack Hatch will end the suspense this morning when he announces his choice of running mate in Cedar Rapids.

All signs point to his choice for lieutenant governor being a Cedar Rapids woman - the first in 30 years to run for statewide office.

Numerous people have been mentioned, but none of them or colleagues of Hatch have been willing to confirm who will join his team to defeat five-term Republican Gov. Terry Branstad.

Hatch campaign spokesman John Hedgecoth promised he was 'trying to be the least coy I possibly can,” but offered only hints to who his boss might tap for lieutenant governor.

One could draw inferences from the location of the announcement - a union hall in Cedar Rapids, he said.

'We've reached out for labor support across the state and have been successful with that,” Hedgecoth said. 'This nominee will be consistent with that base of support.”

People following the gubernatorial race should not be surprised by the name, according to Hedgecoth, who grew up in Cedar Rapids. The name should be familiar, but he stopped short of saying whether the person has run for office.

'Senator Hatch looked for an experience, qualified person who could take over as governor if something happened to Jack,” he said, adding that the candidate will be 'an outstanding public servant for Iowa.”

In Cedar Rapids, speculation Monday focused on Monica Vernon as Hatch's running mate. The mentions that Hatch would choose the Cedar Rapids City Council member started on primary election night when she was the runner-up in the Democratic U.S. House 1st District primary race.

Vernon operated her own business for 26 years before selling Vernon Research to The Gazette Company. She was active in a number of community organizations and projects before serving on the city council. She has worked closely with labor unions to complete city projects and won the endorsement of several in her congressional bid.

Vernon, who did not return phone calls Monday, fueled speculation with tweets and emails that seemed to hint she would be part of Hatch's announcement.

At 1:14 p.m. Monday, she sent this tweet, or Twitter message: 'I've had a few days to relax & reflect on the past year. There's no way to thank you all for your support. Excited to see what's next!”

Vernon also sent supporters an email inviting them to 'join us for a special announcement with my friend Jack Hatch.”

However, one longtime GOP operative saw those messages as signs Vernon will not be Hatch's choice.

Others mentioned included Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston, who is president of the National Association of Counties, and State Sen. Liz Mathis of Cedar Rapids.

'I don't believe I'll be the one,” Langston said.

While it would be fair to say Hatch 'sought my counsel,” Langston declined to say whether he asked her to be his running mate.

Earlier this month, Mathis said she declined Hatch's offer because the time isn't right for her and she enjoys being able to continue her work as a child welfare advocate in the non-profit sector.

If it is any of those three or any other Cedar Rapidian, it would be the first candidate for statewide office from Cedar Rapids since Joan Lipsky ran for lieutenant governor in 1986, according to Hedgecoth.

Lipsky, who served in the Iowa House for 12 years from 1967-79, ran as a Republican in the last election before the governor and lieutenant governor ran as a team. She lost to Democrat Jo Ann Zimmerman.

Hatch has scheduled his announcement for 9 a.m. this morning at the IBEW 405 Hall, 1211 Wiley Blvd SW.