Culver won't rule out naming Supreme Court judges

(AP) - Gov. Chet Culver said Monday that he won't hesitate to fill vacancies on the Iowa Supreme Court if recommendations arrive before his departure.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Culver said he will continue to exercise the powers of his office until Gov.-elect Terry Branstad takes office on Jan. 14.

"I'm the governor until the 14th of January, and I'll be making a lot of decisions in the next 60 days," Culver said.

Culver said he would "absolutely not" rule out making the appointments to the Supreme Court himself if given the opportunity.

The issue has been broadly discussed. The same voters who ousted Culver tossed three justices from the Supreme Court because of their role in striking down a state law banning same-sex marriage. Some have suggested that voters spoke during the election, and Culver should allow his successor to make the judicial appointments.

Once the results of the election are certified later this month, the Judicial Nominating Commission can begin considering applicants to fill those openings. That panel has 60 days to come up with recommendations on candidates to fill the vacancies, meaning they have until the end of January, though they could act more quickly.

"No one knows exactly at this point what the time line will be," Culver said. "We need to respect the independence of the commission and we need to respect the process. I'll continue to fulfill my duties."

Under the state's nominating system, that panel selects a field of three finalists for each opening, with the governor making the final pick.

Culver said he was uncertain about his future after leaving the governor's office. He said it could lie in education, renewable energy, or both. Both were of major focus during his term in office. Culver, at 44, is married with young children.

"I am very excited about the future and most importantly my family is doing very well," Culver said. "I've already decided I'm going to coach my son's fourth-grade football team next year."

While Culver said he's focused on renewable energy, he wouldn't rule some role in education. He's a former high school teacher and coach before entering politics.

"I'm very excited about ways I might be able to contribute to our state and our country in the renewable energy sector," he said. "We've really distinguished ourselves as a national leader."

A centerpiece of Culver's administration was the creation of the Iowa Power Fund, which has financed up to 30 projects of various kinds of alternative energy production and research.

"I feel very good about the progress we've made, going from 5 percent renewable to 20 percent, literally one of the leading regions of the world today," Culver said.

Culver said he hoped to remain in Iowa but wouldn't commit to that.

"I hope to continue to make Iowa my home," said Culver. "There may be opportunities outside of the state, and I'm certainly going to explore any and all of those opportunities."

Culver wouldn't rule out another run for public office down the road, pointing to his father, former Sen. John Culver.

"The one thing that's exciting that really has always attracted me to service and politics is you never know," said Culver. "My dad has always said that 24 hours is a long time in politics. You just don't know what the future holds, especially in this ever-changing political world."

Culver said whatever course he takes will leave him involved in public policy issues.

"I'm going to continue to find ways to make a positive contribution to our state and our nation," Culver said. "Whether that's in the public sector or the private sector, whether that means eventually seeking higher office, I don't know."

With his loss to Branstad, Culver became the first sitting governor since 1962 to lose a bid for re-election after just one term.

He said he was victim to a national political mood that was poison for Democrats.

"In life there are things you can try to control and there are things you can't control," said Culver. "What we saw on Nov. 2 was a real national swing in the pendulum."

Culver said he will leave office without bitterness or regret.

"We had this national environment that really determined the outcome of a lot of these races and I'm OK with that. I'm a student of history, and I've seen these swings before," he said.

Culver said he thought an aggressive close to the campaign would allow him to escape that sour electorate.

"At the end of the day, the voters decided to go in a different direction," said Culver. "I'm not angry about that, I'm not bitter."