Iowa Gov. Branstad hints at record-breaking fundraising

PALO - Coming off a record-setting haul last year, Gov. Terry Branstad is predicting another eye-popping number when his campaign fundraising numbers are released Thursday.

'We've got a great number,” the five-term Republican said during a visit to NextEra's Duane Arnold Energy Center in rural Linn County near Palo. Branstad spoke at a celebration of a report that found the 40-year-old plant, which employs 600 people, has a $255 million economic impact on the state each year.

Branstad was coy, declining to say how much his campaign for a sixth term generated between Jan. 1 and May 14.

'They've exceeded the goals I set and those are ambitious goals,” Branstad said.

Neither the governor nor his campaign spokesman Tommy Schultz would identify the goal.

Branstad's $4.1 million raised in 2013 was the most ever in an Iowa gubernatorial race in the year before the election. It eclipsed the $3.2 million Democratic Gov. Chet Culver raised in 2009.

'Most of our money has been raised from individual Iowans and I'm proud of that,” Branstad said. That's because by state law, candidates are limited in raising funds from lobbyists and interest groups during the legislative session and for 30 days after the session. The Legislature adjourned May 2. 'I think people are going to be impressed with the broad base of support we've gotten.”

The candidates must report again May 30. For Branstad, that will include a May 22 fundraiser with former Florida governor and potential 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush, but not events with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Texas Gov. Rick Perry May 28 and 29, respectively.

Democratic Sen. Jack Hatch's gubernatorial campaign did not say when it would release its campaign fundraising numbers.