Branstad to join rivals at GOP fundraiser Nov. 7

By James Q. Lynch

The Gazette

One dogie will be missing, but the cattle call at a Nov. 7 Iowa GOP event will include the newest member of the Republican herd of gubernatorial hopefuls.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad will join five other Republicans seeking the party's 2010 nomination for governor at “Leadership for Iowa,” the Republican Party of Iowa's fall fundraiser Nov. 7 at the Elwell Family Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The Branstad campaign said it's the first invitation it has accepted for a joint appearance with Bob Vander Plaats, Christian Fong, Reps. Chris Rants and Rod Roberts and Sen. Jerry Behn.

Only Sen. Paul McKinley of Chariton will be absent. He plans to withdraw once Branstad formally enters the race.

It's not for lack of invitations that Branstad won't be making joint appearances sooner, according to Jeff Boeyink of Branstad 2010. The campaign has been inundated with requests for Branstad to attend county GOP functions. Jones County Republicans hoped the four-term governor would join them – and Fong and Vander Plaats -- Saturday night at their pork barbecue. Branstad also declined an invite to share the stage with Fong, Vander Plaats, Roberts and Rants at the Iowa Federation of Republican Women regional meeting Saturday in Davenport.

Boeyink said the campaign had made no commitments for joint appearances save the “Leadership for Iowa” event, but expects that to change soon.

“We want to make sure when we get out there, we get out there properly,” he said. “We anticipate getting the governor out there visiting with Iowans.”

Branstad is eager to begin the campaign, “to visit with Iowans all over the state very aggressively, very soon,” Boeyink said.

Like other candidates, Branstad will create some of his own events in addition to joint appearances at county or state party functions. Boeyink said. Branstad wants to create opportunities to meet with Iowans with specific concerns, such as younger Iowans or health care professionals, for example.

“I think you'll see a lot of him,” Boeyink said.