Press Releases

(Des Moines) Today, Governor-elect Chet Culver and Lt. Governor-elect Patty Judge announced key members of the transition team, including Chair Bonnie Campbell and Staff Director Charlie Krogmeier.

The Nussle campaign itself admitted yesterday that the only way an increase in the Iowa minimum wage will pass is if Democrats are elected across the board.

Western Iowa Republicans Not Excited About Election Day:

According to today’s Sioux City Journal, Plymouth County Republican leaders “sense lackluster enthusiasm among local GOP voters.”

(Des Moines) KCCI, the Des Moines CBS television affiliate, released their latest independent poll on the Iowa governor’s race today. The survey showed Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver continues to lead Congressman Jim Nussle by a margin of 50 percent to 45 percent.

Secretary of State Chet Culver’s campaign for governor keeps the momentum steamrolling on with the endorsements of three major Iowa newspapers today. The Des Moines Register, the Quad City Times, and the Mason City Globe Gazette all endorsed Chet Culver’s candidacy and his plan to lead Iowa forward.

(Ames) Today, Ames hometown hero and former NBA basketball star Fred Hoiberg announced his endorsement of Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver for governor.

(Des Moines) Congressman Jim Nussle went to amusing new lengths today to avoid being seen on the same stage as President George W. Bush. According to an Associated Press article yesterday, Nussle’s latest excuse is that “it was likely that tight security at Bush’s rally would prohibit him from attending.”

(Des Moines) Just the other night, Congressman Jim Nussle said, “President Bush is a friend. I’ve enjoyed working with him. He is a real leader. He’s done a fantastic job on behalf of Iowa…I think he’s a good president, and he’s somebody I’m proud to call a friend.” [Des Moines Register debate, 10/21/06]

(Des Moines) It’s no secret – Chet Culver was the hands-down winner in yesterday’s Des Moines Register debate. Register columnist David Yepsen wrote “Culver Wins,” saying Culver was “polished and confident” and “came out ahead.” [Des Moines Register, 10/22/06]

Congressman Jim Nussle THEN:

Jim Nussle: “If You Just Put Minimum Wage Out There As a Single Vote, Yeah, I Have Voted Against That.” [WHO Radio, 8/1/06]

FACT: Congressman Jim Nussle Voted Against Bonuses for Troops Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congressman Nussle has repeatedly failed to address how he will pay for his costly initiatives. Instead, he says he’ll fund his proposals by “shifting stuff around” in the state budget. Nussle’s inability to “put a price tag” on any of his proposals demonstrates the same spending practices we’ve come to expect from him over the last 16 years. In Iowa, we are required to balance budgets. In six years as House Budget Chair, Congressman Nussle never once balanced the federal budget.

(Des Moines) Following two straight independent polls this week showing his growing lead in the race for governor, Chet Culver added to his campaign’s momentum with a highly successful fundraising period, culminating in over $3 million raised since July 15th.

“It’s been a failure to Iowa jobs. It’s been a failure to Iowa entrepreneurs. It’s been a failure to Iowa agriculture and Iowa energy.”
[Jim Nussle, Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, 6/10/06]
v.
“Nussle now says the Values fund was a ‘pretty good idea.’”
[Radio Iowa, 10/18/06]

(Davenport) Given a chance to tell Iowans something positive about himself in Davenport tonight, Congressman Jim Nussle was literally speechless.

(Davenport) Less than 15 minutes into tonight’s debate in Davenport, Congressman Nussle was already misleading Iowans about Chet Culver’s position on abortion. Congressman Nussle does not appear to understand Iowa law. Chet Culver will uphold that law.

(Des Moines) Today’s Des Moines Register reported that its new Iowa Poll shows Secretary of State Chet Culver has opened up a 7-point lead over Congressman Jim Nussle. The poll also showed that Culver’s support is “more solid than Nussle’s” and that “independents now prefer Culver over Nussle, 43 percent to 33 percent.” [Des Moines Register, 10/15/06]

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today reaffirmed his commitment to Regent universities by signing a pledge expressing his support for Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. By signing the pledge, he expressed his dedication to fully fund mandatory operating expenses at the universities, in an effort to make and keep college affordable for all Iowans.

(Des Moines) Congressman Jim Nussle is now bragging about a $248 billion budget deficit? Before he became Budget Chair, the United States had a budget surplus of $236 billion. At one point under Congressman Nussle’s watch, the federal deficit grew to $412 billion.

Congressman Jim Nussle’s RHETORIC on Our Troops and Veterans in Iowa:

“I believe that they should be supported with pay and benefits…I’ve passed not only a number of budgets which have increased veterans health and benefits, but in Iowa we can even do more.”

- Congressman Jim Nussle at tonight’s Brown and Black Gubernatorial Debate

(Council Bluffs) Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, running mate of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver, today spoke at the Iowa Library Association’s Annual Conference in Council Bluffs. She emphasized how valuable a role public libraries play in educating Iowa’s children.

Congressman Jim Nussle’s attempt to offer an “impassioned defense” of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program Monday night in Waterloo fell flat, given that the Congressman himself has showed that there’s no room for NCLB in his priorities in Washington.

(Des Moines) At today’s “Health Care Solutions for Iowa” forum at Drake University, Congressman Jim Nussle added one more “Nussle Hustle” to his rather extensive list. Congressman Nussle told the forum audience that he had helped increase funding for the National Institutes of Health.

(Des Moines) During today’s AARP Health Care Forum, Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver will discuss his plan to help close the “donut hole” gap in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that has started to hit Iowa’s seniors in the past couple weeks.

(Johnston) Speaking to Johnston High School seniors today, Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver outlined his plan to strengthen character development and discipline in Iowa schools.

(Iowa City) Today, Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver is speaking to Iowa City High School students about the importance of parental involvement in education. During his discussion, he will also promote his Senior Year Plus plan to offer every high school senior in the state up to one year of college credit by the time they graduate.

(Des Moines) Today, Congressman Jim Nussle put out a “school safety” plan in which he actually took credit for REDUCED funding for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, which provides direct money to Iowa for programs like drug task forces and child and teen drug prevention programs.

Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, running mate of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver, today visited several eastern Iowa communities to share the Culver-Judge vision for leading Iowa forward.

Americans have been shocked and dismayed by the recent revelation of Republican Congressman Mark Foley’s long-standing practice of preying on young Congressional pages with sexually charged emails and instant messages.

(Cedar Rapids) Congressman Jim Nussle continued his Washington-style campaign in tonight’s debate, offering all rhetoric with no real plans.

Dollar Amount of New Programs and Spending Jim Nussle Has Proposed

$600 Million

Number of Times Jim Nussle Has Offered Plans to Pay for His Proposals

0

(Mason City) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver was in Mason City today, outlining his proposals to make Iowa the nation’s renewable energy leader. Culver discussed these goals during a tour of the Golden Grain Energy plant, a locally owned facility that uses Northern Iowa-grown corn to produce ethanol.

(Des Moines) Lieutenant Governor candidate Patty Judge today affirmed the Culver/Judge campaign’s commitment to making public schools their top education priority. That commitment stands in sharp contrast to the plans of Congressman Jim Nussle and his running mate, Bob Vander Plaats, who have said they will drain money away from Iowa’s already underfunded public schools and give it to private schools in the form of taxpayer-funded school vouchers.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today discussed his Affordable College Excellence plan with students at the Iowans for a Better Future Education Summit.

Secretary of Agriculture and candidate for lieutenant governor Patty Judge hosted roundtable discussions on women’s health yesterday in Coralville, Waterloo, and Ames, addressing the concerns of women in Iowa and bringing attention to the health issues that affect women in the state.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today pledged his continued support for the completion and maintenance of the new Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter. Culver addressed the cemetery and other proposals for veterans’ support in a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Fall Pow-Wow this morning in Des Moines.

“I don’t propose a cigarette tax increase because, unfortunately, it has not demonstrated ability to control smoking among young people, in particular.”
- Congressman Jim Nussle, AARP Debate, 9/21/06

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today discussed his plans to make health care more accessible and lift Iowa’s ban on stem cell research as governor. At a statehouse press conference, Culver received the endorsement of Iowa for Health Care, an organization representing 20,000 health care professionals and voters in all 99 counties of the state.

We know it’s late, but we feel we must inform you that Congressman Jim Nussle has taken his seventh – yes, seventh – position on abortion today. See for yourself:

(Des Moines) Secretary of State Chet Culver’s gubernatorial campaign today released an internet ad educating voters about Congressman Jim Nussle’s recent “Nussle Hustle” regarding a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions. The web ad will allow the Culver campaign to tap into grassroots networks and online resources to spread the word about the “Nussle Hustle.”

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the REAL issues of illegal immigration – a problem that has ballooned into a crisis under the failures and neglect of Congressman Jim Nussle and the Republican leadership in Washington.

(Des Moines) After weeks of launching misleading, scare tactic ads attacking Chet Culver, Congressman Jim Nussle this weekend made it clear that he’s pulling the biggest “Nussle Hustle” yet.

(Des Moines) Despite the $700,000 already spent on negative attack ads by Congressman Jim Nussle and his special interest friends, the Nussle campaign is going nowhere fast. A Des Moines Register poll released today shows the race in a tie, and a KCCI poll released earlier this week shows it’s Chet Culver with the 5-point lead in the race for governor.

(Des Moines) In a new television ad released today by the Culver/Judge campaign, Chet Culver’s former students and colleagues talk about Culver’s experience as a teacher and coach at Hoover High School in Des Moines. The ad also highlights Culver’s plans to expand early education, improve school discipline, retain teachers, and make higher education more affordable.

(Davenport) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today contrasted his consistent commitment to protecting a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions with Congressman Jim Nussle’s continued flip-flopping and extremism on the issue.

(Des Moines) Congressman Jim Nussle was caught yet again this week trying to be all things to all people when it comes to a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions.

(Des Moines) A new poll conducted for KCCI-TV in Des Moines shows Secretary of State Chet Culver holds a five-point lead over Congressman Jim Nussle in the race for governor. This lead comes despite the fact that the Nussle campaign has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on weeks of negative attack ads against Culver.

(Cedar Rapids) Given a chance yesterday to support a measure to reduce teen smoking, Congressman Jim Nussle instead stood firm with his Big Tobacco contributors. And no wonder – Congressman Nussle has taken nearly $70,000 in campaign cash from Big Tobacco.

(Des Moines) Governor Tom Vilsack and State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald today released the following joint statement regarding IPERS investments:

(North Liberty) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver finished his speech to the Johnson County Democrats Saturday night amidst a standing ovation. Culver was the final speaker at the heavily attended Johnson County Democrats barbeque, following Governor Tom Vilsack, as well as Congressional candidate Dave Loebsack and U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver and U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd toured a Des Moines firehouse today, where Dodd highlighted Culver’s commitment to first responders and Iowa public safety. That commitment earned Culver the endorsement of the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters on Thursday.

(Des Moines) Eighty days after voting to allow the President to federalize Iowa’s National Guard troops without the governor’s consent, Congressman Jim Nussle has now taken the opposite position.

(Des Moines) The Iowa Professional Fire Fighters stood with Secretary of State Chet Culver on the steps of the Capitol today to announce their endorsement of Culver’s campaign for governor.

(Cedar Rapids) Given a chance yesterday to support a measure to reduce teen smoking, Congressman Jim Nussle instead stood firm with his Big Tobacco contributors. And no wonder – Congressman Nussle has taken nearly $70,000 in campaign cash from Big Tobacco.

(Des Moines) Last night, after a day full of flip-flopping on the issue of a woman’s right of choice, Congressman Jim Nussle’s campaign announced yet another position on abortion – this one his most extreme yet. Nussle campaign Political Director Marlys Popma told WHO Radio’s Steve Deace that she had “zero doubt” that Jim Nussle would sign a South Dakota-style ban on all abortions, whether in the first, second, or third trimester.

(Des Moines) Chet Culver campaign spokeswoman Taylor West issued the following statement today in response to Congressman Jim Nussle’s latest floundering on the issue of a woman’s right of choice:

Despite being publicly corrected by the Des Moines Register last week, Congressman Jim Nussle is STILL peddling blatantly false figures about Iowa classroom funding, in an attempt to justify his plan to cut school funding and pursue consolidation.

Dance fever is breaking out in Iowa today, as people across the state are learning the steps to a new craze – the Nussle Hustle! Iowans are being introduced to the Nussle Hustle in a new radio ad that the Culver campaign began airing today.

(Des Moines) Trailing in the polls and forced to defend his record of failure in Washington – even against fellow Republicans like Jeff Lamberti – Congressman Jim Nussle has apparently already reached a desperation point. This morning, Congressman Nussle launched the first television attack ads of the gubernatorial campaign, clinging to scare tactics and misrepresentation of Chet Culver’s positions as a way to shore up his sagging campaign.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver drew a sharp distinction between his plan to empower local schools and Congress Jim Nussle’s consolidation plans in an interview with members of the Iowa Association of School Boards today.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver has accepted a final schedule for a series of statewide televised debates between the gubernatorial candidates. The campaign has also proposed two debates between the candidates for lieutenant governor, with scheduling details to be determined.

(Des Moines) Jim Nussle is now trying to tout his credentials as a defender of ethanol, but his voting record reveals a different story. Nussle’s own GOP colleagues from Iowa and leaders in the industry have criticized Nussle’s votes and comments on ethanol. Throughout the 1990s, Nussle’s committees frequently sent bills to the full House calling for the reduction and, in some cases, complete dissolution of ethanol subsidies. Jim Nussle can talk all he wants about supporting ethanol, but the record says something different:

(Des Moines) The Nussle Hustle on education came to a screeching halt yesterday, as Congressman Jim Nussle revealed his real plans for Iowa’s schools – cuts in funding to local schools and layoffs of local school personnel in the name of “consolidation.”

Today the Nussle campaign is in full spin mode trying to explain Congressman Jim Nussle’s vote to cut $12.7 billion from federal student loan programs.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver began a “Back to School” tour across the state this weekend, traveling to Marshalltown, Ottumwa, West Burlington, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Sioux City and Carroll. At each stop, he talked about his background as a schoolteacher and his plans to boost education as Governor.

(Des Moines) Yesterday, Secretary of State Chet Culver released a 10-point plan to boost small businesses and create good-paying jobs here in Iowa. In typical Washington fashion, Rep. Jim Nussle engaged in misleading attacks and scare tactics to cover up his own record of assaulting pension security and his lack of new ideas for Iowa.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today introduced his “Iowa Means Business” plan to promote the state’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.

(Sioux City) Former Washington insider Newt Gingrich is in Sioux City tonight with current Washington insider Congressman Jim Nussle. We’d like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

(Des Moines) Congressman Jim Nussle does not support a real increase in the minimum wage. Period. He didn’t support one during his 16 years in Congress, and does not support one as a candidate for governor.

Good afternoon. Thank you to Mark Smith and the IFL for the invitation, and thanks to all of you for being here.

In recent days Iowans have become painfully aware that it is time to stop waiting on Washington and raise Iowa’s minimum wage.

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today released the following statement on the resignation of Des Moines City Councilman Archie Brooks:

“Culver accused Nussle of voting for the No Child Left Behind Act and then refusing to fund it adequately. Nussle’s campaign denied those claims. ‘I’d say the Culver camp is playing fast and loose with facts,’ said Maria Comella, a spokeswoman for the Nussle campaign.” [Omaha World Herald, 8/4/06, emphasis added

CULVER STATEMENT ON VETERANS:

“Iowa’s veterans are tired of hearing members of the leadership in Washington, DC, like my opponent, say great things about veterans then continually vote to cut critical funding for them. Voting for trillions of dollars in tax cuts to rich people while voting to cut veterans benefits is wrong. I have a plan to give our veterans the honor and respect they deserve for protecting our families overseas.

(Sioux City) Secretary of State, former teacher, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver stood with Western Iowa teachers today to announce his “Education for a Lifetime” plan. Culver highlighted his proposals to lead Iowa toward universal early childhood education, recruit and retain the state’s best teachers, and raise Iowa teacher pay to the national average or higher.

Washington Congressman Jim Nussle…

…Doesn’t Support a Minimum Wage Increase in Washington Today

“If you just put minimum wage out there as a single vote, yeah, I have voted against that.”

– Congressman Jim Nussle

[“Mickelson in the Morning,” WHO Radio, 8/1/06]

(Des Moines) Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver stood at the State Capitol today to announce his plan for ethical, accountable leadership, and to restore Iowans’ faith in government that has been shaken by scandals, from CIETC in Des Moines to the corruption of Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff in Washington.

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Jim Nussle set new standards last night for Washington-style election year pandering. Nussle has spent a decade opposing real increases in the minimum wage for Iowa’s working families. Yesterday, in an attempt to use Washington smoke and mirrors to cover up his record, he signed on to a sham, Republican-sponsored minimum wage bill that he knows will never pass into law.

Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today announced that he has received the support of Iowa’s largest union of public employees.

(Mason City) Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today addressed his proposals to recommit to excellence in Iowa’s community colleges across the state.

(Brighton) Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, running mate of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver, joined local Democrats at the Washington County Democrats Old-Fashioned Down-Home Good Ice Cream Social on Saturday to share the Culver-Judge vision for leading Iowa forward. The event was held at the home of Louise and Harold Frakes in Brighton.

(Iowa City) Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver stood side-by-side with medical professionals and Iowans today to call for expanding potentially life-saving stem cell research in Iowa. Culver and others also strongly criticized Congressman Jim Nussle for turning his back on families seeking treatment and cures for devastating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Type I diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and spinal cord injuries.

Congressman Jim Nussle touches down in Iowa today with the unenviable job of trying to convince Iowans that they should let him run Des Moines like he’s run D.C.

(Des Moines) Iowa Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chet Culver released the following statement regarding Jim Nussle’s vote in support of President Bush’s veto of a bill to expand stem cell research:

(Des Moines) Iowa Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chet Culver released the following statement regarding President Bush’s veto of a bill to expand stem cell research:

(Des Moines) The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today announced the results of a highly successful fundraising period, culminating in over $1.4 million raised since May 31st.

(Des Moines) Jim Nussle’s D.C.-style disregard for the facts continued yesterday, as he used blatantly inaccurate statements to cover up his plans to drain money from Iowa’s Senior Living Trust and rainy day funds.

(Des Moines) Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chet Culver’s running mate, Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, visited the Monona, Shelby and Greene County Fairs on Saturday to share the Culver-Judge vision for leading Iowa forward. Judge toured each fair and stopped by Democratic booths to greet voters.

Jim Nussle continued his efforts today to bring D.C.-style fiscal mismanagement to Iowa, pulling the rug out from under Iowa’s senior citizens and leaving the state without the resources to respond to emergencies.

The Iowa Federation of Labor, representing more than 60,000 Iowa union members and their families, announced today that its Executive Board has voted to endorse Secretary of State Chet Culver’s campaign for Governor of Iowa.

Chet responds to the closing of Rubbermaid.

Des Moines — Iowa Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chet Culver and his running mate, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, will tour the state to share their vision for Iowa’s future.

Culver, joined by his wife Mari, will meet with supporters, volunteers, and undecided voters at campaign stops in Waterloo, Newton, Marshalltown, Grinnell, Ottumwa, Burlington, Fort Madison, Ames, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport this weekend, with additional stops to be added through Monday.

Iowa Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver went to Hoover High School today to announce the backing of more than 115 teachers and other educational professionals as part of his statewide Educators for Culver Committee.

Iowa Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today released his "Honoring Our Treasures" Plan for Iowa’s Seniors as the sign-up deadline for Medicare’s prescription drug coverage program approaches. Iowa has the 5th highest percentage of citizens aged 65 and older, and the 2nd highest percentage of citizens aged 85 and older, in the United States.

Chet Culver responds to the news that Whirlpool is closing its doors in Newton.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa’s Freedom Fund Political Action Committee endorsed Democratic candidate Chet Culver for governor today.

Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver received another labor endorsement today when the Iowa Association of Letter Carriers - a member of the Iowa Federation of Labor representing more than 3000 members - voted unanimously to support his campaign for Governor.

Chet Culver today detailed his proposals for increasing higher education opportunity for all Iowans.

Chet Culver unveiled a list of over 220 women backing his campaign for Governor.

The United Automotive Workers in Iowa voted overwhelmingly Monday to endorse Chet Culver for Governor. The UAW in Iowa represents more than 30,000 active members and retirees around the state.

"Iowa’s voters deserve straight answers on where we stand on these important issues. Let me be clear -- as Governor, I would not just veto a bill like this, I would work against it in the legislature to keep it from ever passing."

Iowa Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today announced that he has won the endorsements of the state United Transportation Union, which represents more than 3,000 active and retired members in the transportation industry; as well as Local 21 (Des Moines) of the Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association, and Local 142 (Des Moines) of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers.

Iowa Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver detailed his “Healthy Opportunities” plan for affordable, quality health care for all Iowans today.

The Iowa State Council of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) voted unanimously to endorse Chet Culver for the Democratic nomination for Governor on Sunday, February 26 during a meeting of the union’s annual state convention.

Iowa gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Chet Culver announced today that he has asked Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge to join his campaign as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor.