Roberts says he is GOP alternative who can unite party

JOHNSTON – Republican gubernatorial candidate Rod Roberts is painting himself as the new face in the race during a time of a strong anti-incumbent mood.

Roberts, a state representative from Carroll, said he can serve an alternative to his better-known GOP rivals by appealing to independent and Democratic voters.

Roberts said Iowans think the 16 years GOP rival Terry Branstad already has served as governor is a long time.

Branstad, was Iowa's governor from 1983-1999, is seeking his fifth term in his comeback bid. If he wins and serves out his term, it would put him in the governor's office for a total of 20 years.

“A lot of Iowans find it very difficult to believe that any one person can be that indispensable to leading as governor,” Roberts said during an appearance Friday on Iowa Public Television's “Iowa Press.”

Roberts also pointed to Vander Plaats, who has made three successive runs for governor.

“You have somebody who's been working at this for the better part of a decade. People know who he is, and it's almost that there's a weariness that's crept in,” Roberts said.

In response, Vander Plaats expressed disappointment in Roberts' statement and cited support among grassroots activists.

“We feel really good about where we're at, and our campaign's extremely energized,” Vander Plaats said. “Our campaign and our team doesn't grow weary.”

As the contest heats up before the June 8 primary election, Roberts said it is apparent that people who support either Branstad or Vander Plaats have a “real problem” with the other candidate.

He believes that helps him appeal to Republicans who think a divided GOP cannot succeed against Democratic Gov Chet Culver, who is seeking re-election.

“We need a candidate whom we can all rally behind and unite behind. I'm that candidate,” Roberts said.

Branstad countered Roberts, saying people in Iowa are telling him they need his experience to get the state back on track, and made the argument he is uniquely experienced for the job.

“I think he's misreading the mood of Iowans,” Branstad said in an interview during a campaign stop in Ankeny. “I think Iowans are not happy with the inexperienced governor we have now and the way he's mismanaged the financials of the state.”