Posted on Tuesday, November 2 at 10:15pm
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement tonight:
"I congratulate Governor Branstad on his victory tonight. I want to thank Lt. Governor Judge, my family, my campaign staff, my Governor's Office staff, and all the other Iowans who have given us so much support and encouragement over the last four years. We've tried to look to the interests of the next generation, not just the next election, in positioning Iowa for a great future."
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Posted on Tuesday, November 2 at 8:14am
Thanks to state investment under Democrats, Dubuque now is top city in America DES MOINES – Forbes Magazine came out with their latest rankings on the best small cities to raise a family, and topping the list was Dubuque. They found that it is large enough to have a thriving business environment, yet small enough to not be overcrowded.
Under Governor Chet Culver, the state worked with local leaders and officials at IBM to bring the multi-national technology company to Duqubue. Thanks to the Iowa Values Fund, our successful public-private partnership, we were able to bring 1,300 good-paying, technology jobs.
“My administration has worked hard to bring new jobs and new opportunities to communities large and small all across Iowa, and no place highlights the success of our efforts more than Dubuque,” said Governor Culver. “We brought 1,300 jobs to this community with IBM. And through I-JOBS, we are improving the infrastructure of this community and laying the groundwork for future growth with an $8.1 million investment in 32 projects in Dubuque County. This new ranking confirms that the Culver/Judge Administration is getting the job done.”
The ranking by Forbes is one more top national ranking for the state of Iowa. Thanks to Governor Culver’s leadership, Iowa is now ranked:
1st in children’s health care thanks to our investments in HAWK-I and Medicaid
1st in renewable energy
2nd in fiscal situation
3rd best-run state in America
3rd best employment outlook in the nation
Top financial rating with a AAA bond rating
Iowa is the 6th top state for doing business
Iowa’s economic performance is the 8th in the nation thanks to I-JOBS
8th lowest unemployment in the nation
Des Moines and West Des Moines both rank in top ten best cities to relocate in America by Sperling’s
“When you rank in the top ten, why would you throw out the coach?” said Governor Culver. “Terry Branstad says that our record speaks for itself, and it certainly does. Under the Culver/Judge Administration, we have become one of the top states in America for kids, financial strength, and business. We are working hard to make our state the best in America, and I respectfully ask for your vote today so we can continue to move Iowa forward.”
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Posted on Monday, November 1 at 6:59pm
We wanted to share the letter to the editor from Governor Culver's aunt, Kay Baty, that appeared in the Cedar Rapids Gazette on Oct. 29:
Culver has fought for Iowa and Cedar Rapids
Admittedly, I am not an unbiased observer when it comes to Gov. Chet Culver. My brother, John Culver, is his father. In addition, Chet spent many of his boyhood days playing here in Cedar Rapids with my two sons.
I’m writing because as a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, I am absolutely appalled that The Gazette chose not to endorse Chet for a second term. I don’t see how any person could have done more for our city’s and this area’s flood recovery than he has.
Could Terry Branstad have brought in more than $1 billion to Linn County? Would he have taken the time to come to Cedar Rapids more than 100 times to help this city overcome its worst natural disaster in history?
I seem to recall that very little was done by the Branstad administration to help victims after the flood of 1993. In stark contrast, Chet Culver fought tirelessly for the state and federal resources that he was able to secure for our recovery.
This is a man who deserves to be re-elected if only for what he’s done for this area, not to mention all of the other worthy projects and causes he has promoted.
Kay Baty
Cedar Rapids
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Posted on Monday, November 1 at 6:15pm
DES MOINES – Terry Branstad told supporters in Sioux City today that his candidacy represents a "new day." A new day for what?
“Terry Branstad's candidacy would represent a new day, all right,” said Culver/Judge Campaign Manager Donn Stanley. “A new day without preschool or health care for thousands of our children. A new day for tax cuts for out-of-state corporations and more taxes on the middle class. A new day without life-saving embryonic stem cell research. A new day without renewable energy research. And a new day with the same tired old ideas from the last century.”
Terry Branstad has promised to cut preschool for 22,000 4-year olds. He has promised to cut health care for 30,000 children. He has promised to put the ban on embryonic stem cell research back in place and he has promised to eliminate the Iowa Power Fund. Branstad has also promised to cut corporate taxes, placing the property tax burden on residential payers.
Governor Chet Culver has promised to cut taxes for the middle-class, expand preschool access to all 4-year olds, continue to insure 99 percent of Iowa's children with quality health care, and continue to fund the Iowa Power Fund which is creating 21st century, green jobs.
Stanley continued, “Branstad's new day would be a dark day for Iowans.”
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Posted on Monday, November 1 at 5:59pm
NEWTON – The Democratic Victory Express rolled into Newton tonight, capping of a beautiful day of whistle stops across eastern Iowa where Governor Chet Culver and Democratic candidates brought their Main Street vs. Wall Street message to enthusiastic crowds. They stopped in 10 communities and passed through 10 more in nine hours on a whirlwind tour the day before the election.
“We had a fantastic day meeting more than 100 excited voters from communities large and small, talking about fighting for hardworking Iowans,” Governor Culver said. “While Terry Branstad and the Republicans want to help out their corporate pals on the backs of families, we’re on the side of the middle class. The energy we felt from the crowds at our whistle stops today tells me Iowans don’t want to go backward – they want to keep moving forward. We’re going to deliver a win for them tomorrow, with their help.”
After today’s tour, Governor Culver has made 83 campaign stops since the last debate. Joining Governor Culver for different parts of the trip today were First Lady Mari Culver, Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin, Sen. Tom Harkin, Reps. Bruce Braley, Dave Loebsack and Leonard Boswell, Attorney General Tom Miller and State Auditor candidate Jon Murphy.
The trip started with a rally in Davenport this morning and headed east, stopping in Walcott, Durant, Witlon, West Liberty, Iowa City, Marengo and Grinnell and ending in Newton. The Victory Express made an unscheduled stop in Brooklyn because so many residents came out to cheer on Governor Culver and the Democrats.
The Main Street vs. Wall Street tour concludes tonight with a rally at the Des Moines Social Club at 9:30.
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Posted on Sunday, October 31 at 8:52pm
Since the final debate in Des Moines, the Culver/Judge Campaign has made 82 campaign stops across the state. Terry Branstad has only made 38 stops. The map below marks the stops made by both campaigns. The stars mark the Culver/Judge campaign stops. The hollow stars mark one stop and filled-in stars mark two or more stops. The red dots mark the Branstad campaign stops.
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Posted on Friday, October 29 at 9:16am
Cedar Rapids Gazette story raises serious doubts DES MOINES – Today’s Cedar Rapids Gazette helped shed some light on why Terry Branstad wouldn’t let Kim Reynolds face scrutiny in a debate – her incompetent and unethical business dealings.
The article, titled “Reynolds Role in Vendor Selection Questioned,” takes a look at the Republican State Senator’s role in helping a company, ABC Virtual Communications, receive a lucrative contract from the County Treasurers Association to run a website where Iowans could pay their taxes and vehicle registrations online. Reynolds gave the company access to proprietary information that gave the company an unfair advantage in securing the contract. Later, Reynolds was hired by ABC Virtual as their Business Development Director.
“Ever since Terry Branstad picked her to be his running mate, Iowans have been asking, ‘Who Is Kim Reynolds?’” said Donn Stanley, Culver Campaign Manager. “Today, that picture becomes a bit clearer.”
(Click "Keep Reading" for more and a copy of the article.)
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Posted on Thursday, October 28 at 4:27pm
DES MOINES – Terry Branstad’s campaign this week released new ads this week full of false claims and baseless attacks.
"This is just more dishonesty from a campaign that is desperate to stop their falling poll numbers," said Donn Stanley, Culver Campaign Manager. "Iowans are tired of Terry Branstad's dishonesty. They want a leader with vision, and the good news is they already have one in Governor Chet Culver."
Click "Keep Reading" to see fact-checks on two of Branstad’s latest dishonest ads.
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Posted on Thursday, October 28 at 4:17pm
DES MOINES – The Culver/Judge Campaign today released a new TV ad highlighting Governor Chet Culver’s accomplishments during his first term, including top rankings for management, children’s health care and renewable energy. The ad, titled “Another Term,” points to Iowa’s strong position with a budget surplus, low debt, and low unemployment under Governor Culver’s leadership.
“This ad simply reiterates the facts: Under Chet Culver, Iowa is doing well compared to much of the country,” said Culver Campaign Manager Donn Stanley. “Terry Branstad is trying hard to mislead voters about the state of our budget and economy, but the truth is that we are leading the national recovery and we are the envy of most other states. We’re also at the forefront of improving our quality of life thanks to Governor Culver. We are confident that Iowans will recognize these facts and choose to keep moving Iowa forward by voting for Chet Culver on Nov. 2.”
The ad also cites major groups and newspapers that have endorsed Governor Culver for re-election. So far, the Governor has been endorsed by seven major newspapers, including the Des Moines Register, and groups representing hundreds of thousands of Iowans and a broad range of issues. Endorsing groups include the Iowa State Education Association, National Rifle Association, Iowa Corn Growers, Farmers Union, Planned Parenthood, and numerous labor groups.
Watch the ad
here, and click "Keep Reading" for the transcript.
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Posted on Thursday, October 28 at 10:37am
Whistle-Stop tour concludes Main Street vs. Wall Street tour
DES MOINES – The Culver/Judge Campaign today announced that the final day of the 2010 campaign will include a cross-state whistle-stop tour. Called the Culver Victory Express, the train will take Governor Culver, Statewide Democrats and local leaders on a tour that will start in Davenport and end in Newton.
“The Culver Victory Express will lead Democrats back to Des Moines and success on election day,” said Governor Culver. “Just one week after finding out about our new passenger rail line through eastern Iowa, we will travel the same rails, telling Iowans about our vision for the future. The Culver/Judge Administration and Democrats have helped move this state forward, and I am respectfully asking Iowans for their vote on November 2nd.”
The train will make nine whistle-stops, and pass through an additional 10 communities. The train may make additional stops as the schedule allows.
Click "Keep Reading" to see the Culver Victory Express schedule.
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Posted on Wednesday, October 27 at 12:03pm
Jindal, Barbour run two of the worst-managed states in the nation
DES MOINES – Today, Terry Branstad surrounded himself with governors past and present from across the country to help prop up his falling poll numbers. Standing with Branstad yesterday was former Governor Mitt Romney, who made a fortune on Wall Street and symbolizes the close relationship Terry Branstad has with big business.
Two more governors and presidential hopefuls also joined Branstad today – Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Haley Barbour of Mississippi. What do Branstad, Barbour and Jindal all have in common? In addition to their ultra-conservative and out-of-touch positions, they also are some of the worst managers in America.
According to 24/7 Wall Street, Mississippi ranks as 6th worst-run state in the nation under Haley Barbour’s leadership. That is pretty bad, but still better than his neighbor Bobby Jindal, whose leadership of Louisiana is the 4th worst in America.
“You can tell a lot about someone by the company they keep,” said Donn Stanley, Culver Campaign Manager. “I am not surprised that these two failed governors are in town for Terry – because Terry was a role model for both. But Bobby and Haley still have work to do. Under Branstad, Iowa was the third worst-managed state in the nation.”
The same survey that gives Mississippi and Louisiana such poor marks showed that Iowa is the third best-managed state in the country thanks to Governor Culver’s leadership. When Terry Branstad was governor, a survey by the National Council of State Legislators showed that Iowa was one of three states with the worst financial condition.
Stanley said, “Iowans deserve the best, and they have gotten that under Governor Chet Culver. Iowa is one of the best managed states in the country thanks to his leadership, and in his second term, Chet Culver will see to it that Iowa is the best managed state in America.”
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Posted on Wednesday, October 27 at 11:04am
Last week during the Des Moines Register's Gubernatorial Debate, Terry Branstad proclaimed that he has "reinvented himself several times." The Culver/Judge Campaign couldn't agree more. To show Iowans the many positions of The Great Reinventor, the Culver/Judge Campaign released three new web ads today.
"No matter what side of the issue you are on, you just can't trust Terry Branstad," said Donn Stanley, Culver Campaign Manager. "He's reinvented himself on his plans to cut the budget 15 percent. He's reinvented himself on whether he would cut the state-funded preschool program. He's reinvented himself on whether he would cut the Iowa Power Fund. Terry Branstad may think that he can hide from his reinventions, but Iowans are smarter than that, and they will elect the only candidate who has remained true to his positions -- Governor Chet Culver."
To see the many reinventions of Terry Branstad, click the links below.
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Posted on Wednesday, October 27 at 8:20am
Governor Culver picked up yet another strong endorsement for re-election today: The Iowa City Press-Citizen says "we don't want Iowa to move backward." The paper cites I-JOBS as a major reason Iowans should re-elect Governor Culver - the program has been critical in helping Johnson County recovery from devastating floods, and its critics have failed to "realistically explain how they would have funded such necessary flood recovery and mitigation efforts through pay-as-you-go methods."
The editorial also emphasizes the need to continue Iowa's progress in education, economic development and social issues under Governor Culver.
Here are some excerpts:
I-JOBS is one of the primary examples for why Iowans should re-elect Chet Culver for governor on Nov. 2.
...
By taking advantage of current low interest rates and Iowa's amazingly good credit rating -- not to mention the state's relatively small debt load -- I-JOBS not only has helped fund as many as 1,688 projects, but it also has attracted additional money from the federal government and other sources. Plus, the program has been structured so that the money for repayment largely will come from gambling revenue.
(Johnson County, not surprisingly, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this program. With millions of dollars coming into the county for the Iowa City Fire Station No. 4, the removal of the Old Armory building, flood control for Coralville's First Avenue corridor, Iowa City's Wastewater Treatment Plant, road funding, the expansion of Shelter House, the UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership and the UI Institute for Biomedical Discovery as well as the replacement of 10 flood-damaged UI buildings.)
...
With all the progress that has been made in state government in the past 12 years -- especially in terms of social issues -- we don't want Iowa to move backward. We need our state government to use more creative economic tools than just "tax cuts" and vague promises to cut government spending when explaining how to:
• Ensure that Iowa remains a leader in quality pre-K-16 public education.
• Diversify the state's economy and to encourage business development in high-growth sectors.
• Push the state toward making faster, better progress on flood recovery.
• Improve economic opportunity in the state so that young people can afford to start rooting their lives here.
• And build on Iowa's status as an inclusive state that welcomes citizens of all races, ethnic groups, religions, sexual preference and family composition.
Read the full editorial
here.
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Posted on Tuesday, October 26 at 6:33pm
The Iowa State Daily endorsed Governor Culver today, praising his commitment to science and renewable energy, his I-JOBS infrastructure program, and his efficient managing of the state's budget. Overall, the paper says Governor Culver is the best candidate to do what's best for students at Iowa's public universities.
Here are some excerpts:
It is important that Iowa's governor is committed to maintaining, and improving, Iowa's quality of life. This goes hand in hand with a successful economy, and this state needs both. We believe Gov. Culver is the strongest candidate to do the job — for Iowa, and for the students of Iowa's public universities.
...
Democrats are taking a lot of flack right now, but let's not be a state that writes off a candidate just because of the letter next to his name in a time when that letter is unpopular. Elect a candidate who has the best interests of Iowa at heart, and the best plan to protect those interests.
We believe Culver is that candidate.
Read the full endorsement here.
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Posted on Tuesday, October 26 at 4:06pm
Parents, teachers discuss importance of statewide preschool program
CEDAR RAPIDS – First Lady Mari Culver today heard firsthand from Cedar Rapids parents, teachers and school administrators how important the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program is for our state’s future, and the dramatic impact on children and families if Terry Branstad were to end the program.
Governor Chet Culver, Lt. Governor Patty Judge and the First Lady have been holding “Milk Party” forums across the state in recent weeks to rally support for investing in early childhood education. At a “Milk Party” at Monroe Early Childhood School today, the First Lady led a panel discussion on early childhood education.
"Iowa's children deserve the very best," Mari Culver said. "The Culver/Judge Administration has worked hard to ensure that every student has a strong start, and that is why this preschool program is so important. Tens of thousands of children all across this state are receiving the tools they need to become lifelong learners. This program is too important to our future to just throw away, and that is why Chet Culver will expand this program to every school district in the state during his second term."
(Continued)
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Posted on Monday, October 25 at 3:19pm
DES MOINES – Culver/Judge Campaign Manager Donn Stanley announced today that a new internal poll shows the Governor's race has tightened even further to a six-point race. A poll of 600 general election Iowa voters conducted by Global Strategies Group found that 40 percent of Iowans support Governor Culver versus 46 percent for Terry Branstad.
Five percent of voters favor minor-party candidates, and 9 percent are undecided. The poll also found that more than a quarter, 26 percent, of voters are either undecided or are still willing change who they will vote for on November 2.
"With one week to go, this poll shows that Chet Culver clearly has the momentum in this race," Stanley said. "While Terry Branstad is hiding out to avoid scrutiny of his record and positions, Governor Culver has been crisscrossing the state, talking to Iowans about his vision for the future of our great state. Make no mistake, Chet Culver and Patty Judge are going to win this race. They have the commitment, the drive, and the vision to move our state forward."
The poll was conducted from Oct. 22-25, and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.
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Posted on Monday, October 25 at 9:13am
Culver/Judge Team working twice as hard to win this election DES MOINES -- Governor Chet Culver today announced he is embarking on a "Main Street vs. Wall Street" tour to highlight Governor Culver’s work to help Iowa’s middle class. In particular, the Governor will talk with Iowans about his plan to cut taxes for the middle-class $120 million, while Terry Branstad wants to cut taxes for corporations.
The three-day, statewide tour will bring the number of events the Governor has done since the last debate to 24. Terry Branstad has had no public events since the debate last Thursday. When combined with the final Get Out the Vote tour, the Governor, Lt. Governor, and First Lady will have done more than twice the number of public events of the Branstad/Reynolds campaign in the same period.
“We are not taking Iowa voters for granted,” said Governor Culver. “We are out there, in communities all across this state, telling Iowans about our vision for the future. While Terry and Kim are taking a break, we are working hard to ensure that we move this state forward. Over the last four years, I have worked tirelessly to help hardworking Iowans, and I am not about to stop now. We are working twice as hard, and we are going to keep on working to win this election.”
Last week, Governor Culver announced his plan to cut taxes for hardworking Iowans. The Governor’s $120 million plan will affect individuals making less than $100,000 per year or couples earning less than $200,000 per year, bringing tax relief to nearly 1 million of the 1.5 million taxpayers in Iowa. The Governor was able to announce the plan thanks to increased revenue projections, indicating that Iowa's economy continues to improve.
The Governor’s proposal stands in stark contrast to Terry Branstad’s tax cut plan. Rather than helping the middle class, Branstad wants to help his friends on Wall Street by providing $100 million in corporate tax cuts.
The Governor kicked off the tour at Baby Boomers, a locally owned restaurant in the East Village of Des Moines. The Governor will continue the tour tomorrow with stops in Washington, Fairfield, and Knoxville, and Wednesday with events that will be announced later today.
"I have worked hard to help small businesses just like this succeed, even during a national economic recession,” said Governor Culver. "Iowans know that we can't turn back the clock with Terry Branstad. Instead, we must go forward. As Governor, I will continue to do everything I can to build the future we all know is possible."
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Posted on Monday, October 25 at 8:15am
The Burlington Hawk Eye, Iowa's oldest daily newspaper, today endorsed Governor Culver, saying he has earned another term. Here are some excerpts:
Out of the flood came Culver's I-Jobs program, which has also been criticized because it relies on borrowed money. The Iowa Legislature has expanded the program and it's now at $875 million and includes money for non-flood related projects, such as the Capitol Theater restoration project.
I-Jobs was cleverly designed so that, unless the casino industry dries up in Iowa, those bonds will be paid for by gamblers. And officials estimate 50 percent of the people patronizing Iowa's casinos are from out of state.
And with Iowa's AAA bond rating and the lowest interest rates in memory, now is the time to borrow.
...
There is work to do. Unemployment needs government's attention more than ever in the new year. Infrastructure improvements will always be an area of attention. Improving schools and ensuring care for the elderly should be priorities.
Gov. Culver has given his attention to each, more than enough to earn another term.
Read the full endorsement here.
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Posted on Sunday, October 24 at 2:33pm
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today appeared at the Temple B’nai Jeshurun Candidate Forum and the AMOS Issues Summit in Des Moines. Both candidates in the race for governor were invited to each event, but only Governor Culver appeared. This marks the third day that Terry Branstad has had no public events.
“Does anyone know where Terry Branstad is?” asked Donn Stanley, Culver Campaign Manager. “Terry must be trying to hide from his unpopular and evasive positions. He doesn’t want to answer any questions about how he really would cut the budget 15 percent, whether he would really cut preschool by $90 million, or whether he really intends to cut Hawk-I and children’s health insurance. Terry can hide all he wants, but Iowans not only deserve, but demand, answers to these questions.”
Terry Branstad’s last public appearance was the Des Moines Register/Iowa Public Television debate on Thursday. Since then, Branstad has had no public events. His next public event is scheduled for Tuesday. Meanwhile, in the same three day period, Governor Culver has had 13 public events, with another three scheduled for tomorrow.
Since last Saturday, Terry Branstad has done only seven events (one last Saturday, four on Monday, one on Wednesday, and the debate on Thursday), while Governor Culver has done 22 public events.
Over the last two weeks, Branstad has changed his position repeatedly on his proposed 15 percent budget cut, and now he is refusing to talk about it at all. Branstad has also refused to take a position on the judicial retention vote and the ballot measure to protect the environment.
With just a week until the election, no one knows where Terry Branstad really stands on the important issues in this race. See a list of Branstad’s conflicting statements on top issues
here.
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