Corbett’s run for governor hinges on book tour reception

CEDAR RAPIDS - Iowans want to know their governors in a more personal way than those running for higher office in Washington, D.C., Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett said of why he wrote a book, during a release event Monday at the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

He wrote 'Beyond Promises,” so people around Iowa could get to know him, Corbett told approximately 40 people in attendance for a Q&A-style announcement moderated by former KCRG-TV9 anchor and current State Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion. The book is a 'window” into Corbett's upbringing, family, decision making and stance on key issues, Corbett said.

'Governors, I think we like to know our governors,” said Corbett, a Republican. 'I'm hopeful this is a way for people, if they would, spend two, three hours reading the book over the next couple months rather than waiting for the last three weeks and watching some negative TV ad.”

A second book release event was held in Des Moines, and Corbett is planning additional stops at libraries, bookstores and book clubs around Iowa. Based on the reaction while promoting the book, he will decide whether to run for governor, perhaps in the next month, he said.

'If I do decide to run - and I hope to make that decision in the next month or so - I'm doing this book tour for a reason, not just to tell our fantastic story of Cedar Rapids, but also to see if I can connect,” Corbett said. 'If I do this book tour and it's successful, and I feel I am making the connection, than I will be taking that next step.” Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, also a Republican, is expected to become governor pending Gov. Terry Branstad's confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to China. Corbett would likely face Reynolds in a Republican primary next June.

The book, co-written by Rick Smith, former city government reporter for The Gazette, traces Corbett's private and public life, as well as key moments in policy for Iowa and later Cedar Rapids.

After early years in Pennsylvania, Corbett moved to Iowa during high school, and celebrated glory days on the football field at Newton High School and later Morningside College in Sioux City and Cornell College in Mount Vernon. Stops and starts selling bumper stickers styled for his high school, investing in a thoroughbred, selling magazines and starting an ice cream truck business called Peppy's - named for his roomate's miniature schnauzer - helped cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit and pro-business outlook, he wrote.

The book recounts war stories during his years in the state house, rising from a 26-year-old, first-term state representative to Speaker of the House at age 32.

Corbett highlighted battles with Branstad, including opposing a Branstad-backed sales tax increase from 4 to 5 percent, undercutting Branstad's plan for school funding growth, a tussle over property tax relief in which Branstad called Corbett a 'damn Democrat,” and a dust up over education reform in 1998.

Corbett won some while Branstad won others.

Corbett left politics in 1999 to raise a young family back home, but became an active president of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce helping lead a referendum to change the city form of government, later mayor, and navigating recovery of the 2008 flood and fighting off the 2016 flood.

The book covers tough spots as well, such as 'letting slip” his mother's battle with crack cocaine in the early 1990s, divorce and political losses, such as backing down to Branstad over a pro-union project labor agreement for the DoubleTree Hotel renovation in 2011, and unsuccessful bids for a local-option sales tax increase and landing a casino in Cedar Rapids.

Corbett painted himself as a compromising Republican, who is pro-business and low taxes, but not afraid to propose ideas and break with party agenda to get things accomplished, such as pushing for project labor agreements, water quality and public involvement in the private sector, such as a city owned hotel and use of tax incentives to stir private investment.

Among those in attendance was Mary Day, 69, of Hiawatha, who was a longtime aide for Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-New Hartford. She said she considers Branstad a friend, and it would be a strong race between Reynolds and Corbett, if he decides to run.

She recalled as a first-time candidate for a legislative primary, Corbett knocking on doors of not just Republicans but also Democrats.

'Anyone who has had a chance to work with Ron knows his great ability to bring people together and get all sides involved,” Day said. 'People realize he is listening.”

George Kanz, 69, of Linn County, was also in attendance and said he'd already read the 220-page book.

'It's an easy read,” he said. 'It recalls his promises, pulling together and getting things done, and also a lot of things that didn't work, too.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; brian.morelli@thegazette.com