McKinley withdraws from race for GOP nomination

By James Q. Lynch

The Gazette

Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, has dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination for governor.

McKinley, who had indicated he would leave the race if former Gov. Terry Branstad became a candidate, announced his withdrawal Friday. He plans to devote attention to winning back a Republican majority in the Iowa Senate.

Branstad, who is considering a 2010 challenge to Democrat Gov. Chet Culver, called McKinley a “passionate advocate” for the state.

“His leadership will be extremely valuable in spearheading Republican initiatives this legislative session, and ushering in a GOP victory next November,” Branstad said.

Likewise, Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids, another GOP hopeful, praised McKinley for his “passion in the areas of job creation, economic development and education reform.”

“Paul McKinley is a leader, not just in Republican politics, but in the debate about how best to move our state forward,” Fong said.

McKinley said the actions of Culver and Democrats, who control the Legislature, “have made it abundantly clear that Iowa needs new leadership and a new direction.”

He's confident Iowans will elect a GOP governor and increase the number of Republicans in the Legislature in 2010.

“With Republicans leading the way in Iowa, our state will finally get serious about curbing our out-of-control spending and higher taxes brought forth by Gov. Culver and legislative Democrats, we will finally get serious about making it easier to create good jobs and we will give our citizens a greater voice in their own government,” he said.

McKinley has been raising money and recruiting Senate candidates. Nineteen Democratic senators and six Republican senators are up for re-election in 2010.

McKinley believes there is a “real political sea change in Iowa.”

“Every Democrat on the ballot next year should be worried because Iowans have grown angry and frustrated with the unacceptable direction offered by this governor and Democrats in the Legislature,” he said.