Culver plans to “finish strong”

Gov. Chet Culver said Monday he plans to “finish strong” in his last two months as Iowa's governor before exploring possible opportunities in the renewable energy field or a post within the Obama administration.

“There's work to be done here and we want to make sure there's a very smooth transition,” said Culver, 44, fresh from a family vacation to recharge after a grueling fall campaign and a stinging Nov. 2 election loss to Republican Terry Branstad, a former four-term governor who will replace the outgoing first-term Democrat on Jan. 14.

In an interview, Culver said “it's more fun to win” but at the same time he understands the highs and lows of political life, having grown up as the son of a former U.S. senator and congressman who won and lost elections. Living through those experiences helped him and his family accept his first defeat for an elective office earlier this month, he said.

“I'm at peace with that,” Culver said of his loss in a midterm election that swung heavily in Republicans' favor. “I understand how these cycles work. I'm not bitter or angry about it. I feel good about our record. I feel good about the fact that we've delivered on the promises that we've made.”

Culver said he is proud that Iowa has become a leader in renewable energy production and manufacturing since he took office in January 2007 and is in the process of modernizing its infrastructure and bringing communities back from natural and economic disasters in a way that will position the state well as the nation rebounds from recession.

The outgoing governor – the first incumbent to lose a re-election bid in nearly 50 years – said he and Democrats who controlled the Legislature the past four years improved the lives of many Iowans by raising the state's minimum wage, expanding health care coverage to 58,000 children, expanding preschool access statewide, imposing a smoking ban in most workplace settings and public places, and lifting a ban on stem-cell research that opened the potential for medical cures and breakthroughs. Iowa also has doubled its number of wind farms and is on track to become a net exporter of energy, he said.

“These are significant advancements in terms of quality of life that also will be a part of our contributions,” he said. “I'm really proud of our record. What we've been able to help do.”

Culver said Iowa is on the cutting edge with research and development in hydrogen and bio-fuels, cellulosic ethanol, algae-related energy production, solar energy thanks in part to Power Fund investments that will provide lasting, positive impacts and potential engines for economic opportunities if future leaders continue to “embrace this renewable energy revolution.”

“We've had a very successful tenure when it comes to leading America in renewable energy generation and green-collar job creation,” he said.

Culver, who will participate in the American Wind Energy Conference in Arizona this week, said he likely will explore possible roles in the renewable energy industry – either in the private sector or public sector – once he leaves public office early next year. He also said there may be future opportunities for him within the Obama administration either in the energy or transportation fields given his involvement in the renewable energy, infrastructure and passenger-rail areas.

“It's exciting now to think about what's next,” he said.

Culver said it is too soon for him to say whether he will seek elective office again in the future. “That's one of the things that's pretty exciting about it is you just never know,” he said. “But after 12 years in statewide elective office, I'm also pretty excited about finding other ways to try to make a positive contribution to our state and perhaps to our country.”

One definite future commitment he has made – he will coach his son's fourth-grade football team next fall.

“We're still working on the terms and conditions of that contract,” Culver joked. He said the up side of leaving public life will be the extra time it will free up to spend with his children, Clare and John. He said the focus for him and his wife, Mari, on Election Day was making sure their kids' spirits were high and they knew their dad was going to be alright regardless of the outcome.

“We're all in a really good place right now,” he said.