Branstad hits the campaign trail in Marion May 8

By James Q. Lynch

UPDATED: MARION -- Former Gov. Terry Branstad will be back on the campaign trail May 8 in Marion.

Branstad, who underwent an elective medical procedure to treat a partially blocked artery in his heart Wednesday at a Des Moines hospital, will make campaign stops in Marion, Pell and Okoboji.

On his first day back on the campaign trail, Branstad will have a Linn County rally at Huntington's Restaurant, 1107 7

^th

Ave., Marion at 10 a.m.

He'll attend the Pella Tulip Festival later in the day before hitting the Dickinson County GOP Victory Party in Okoboji.

Branstad, 63, did not have a heart attack, according to his doctor. A stress test during the former governor's regularly scheduled cardiology appointment suggested a need for further evaluation.

The blocked artery was discovered during a scheduled angiogram Wednesday and the blockage was treated with the placement of a stent, said Branstad campaign manager Jeff Boeyink.

“He was ready to go right after the surgery,” spokesman Tim Albrecht said.

The visit will highlight satellite voting from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 8 at the Marion Public Library.

Branstad, who is seeking the GOP nomination for a fifth term, currently is locked in a competitive three-way race for the GOP nomination heading into the June 8 primary election with rivals Bob Vander Plaats, a Sioux City businessman, and state Rep. Rod Roberts, a five-term lawmaker from Carroll. The winner will face first-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver.