Poll shows Iowa GOP ag secretary race knotted

May. 17, 2018 1:12 pm

CEDAR RAPIDS - The early speculation about the June 5 primary election was that there might be no winner in the Democratic gubernatorial race and a nominee would be chosen by delegates to the state convention.

However, a new poll suggests that it may the Iowa GOP race for the Secretary of Agriculture nomination that goes to convention.

A Harper Polling survey of 500 Republican voters found five candidates bunched within 6 percentage point of one another and only one gaining double-digit support. 'Undecided” was far and away the leader at 59 percent.

The poll conducted May 13 and 14 for TheIowaRepublican.com, found Brooklyn farmer Craig Lang topping the field at 12 percent. Lang is the former president of the Board of Regents and Iowa Farm Bureau.

Sen. Dan Zumbach, a Ryan farmer, was second with 9 percent followed closely by Mike Naig, Ray Gaesser of Corning and Chad Ingels of Randalia with 8, 7 and 6 percent, respectively.

Naig was appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds to fill the vacancy created by Secretary Bill Northey's resignation to work for the USDA. Northey endorsed Naig.

Tim Gannon, a Des Moines Democrat, is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com

Craig Lang

State Sen. Dan Zumbach (R-Ryan) looks on as Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during an 'Unleashing Opportunity' event at Aunt Emmy's in Manchester on Thursday, Mar. 22, 2018. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (right) answers a question as he is seated next to Iowa Premium CEO Jeffrey Johnson during a media availability after touring Iowa Premium in Tama, Iowa, on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. Naig toured the beef processing plant as part of a water quality tour. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Ray Gaesser, Corning, Iowa Director, Iowa Soybean Association Vice President, American Soybean Association

Chad Ingels, Iowa State University Extension watershed specialist