In wake of possible payoff scandal, Branstad stresses need to protect Iowa caucuses

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad won't get involved in an apparent pay-to-play scandal involving a Republican state senator, but he called on both parties to help protect the Iowa Caucuses.

“We have had a proud tradition of open government in this state, and our caucuses have fought off many battles and accusations in regard to the caucuses, and I'm confident that the caucuses have a good reputation,” he said during his weekly news conference Monday.

Last week, the Iowa Republican online news site published emails and telephone conversations between Sen. Kent Sorenson, R-Milo, and officials with Ron Paul's campaign that purportedly reveal a payoff for Sorenson to leave Michele Bachmann's campaign and work for Paul last year.

If Sorenson was paid, it could be a violation of Iowa Senate ethics rules. It also could violate federal election law.

The disclosure made national news, especially because it could hurt Iowa's chances in keeping its first-in-the-nation presidential nomination status, which was already being questioned because of how the 2012 Republican caucus ended.

Former Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn announced Republican Mitt Romney as the GOP caucus winner in the early morning hours of Jan. 4. A subsequent canvass showed Rick Santorum had actually received the most votes. That angered Santorum supporters who thought the early call for Romney hurt their candidate.

“This is only serious allegation that I know of,” Branstad said. “I do know that the outcome on the Republican caucus was the closest it's ever been in history, and when you have something that close, every little problem becomes significant.”

Pressed on his thoughts about Sorenson's future, Branstad said it's not for him to decide.

“I think that is a decision that should be made by the individual and the Senate,” he said. “That's why we have a separation of the legislative (branch) from the executive.”