A Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll conducted last week and released Saturday suggests Governor Chet Culver faces a tough reelection year in 2010. The Register’s headline used the word “vulnerability.” On Sunday, Iowa Poll data on Senator Chuck Grassley was released. The headline on that story uses the words “hubbub” and “still popular.” Those last two words should tell you Grassley’s popularity hasn’t slipped as mightily as Culver’s in the past two months.
Texas Congressman Ron Paul was in Iowa over the weekend. The Register ran a story Sunday about his appearance. Andrew Duffelmeyer of IowaPolitics.com interviewed Paul, who said it’s too early to talk about running (again) for president in 2012. Kathie Obradovich of The Des Moines Register talked with Paul last Wednesday, just before his visit to Iowa.
I went to a family funeral in northwest Iowa this weekend and can report I saw a lot of corn in the field, waiting to be harvested, as I drove along Highways 141, 169, and 30.
The Branstad campaign announced this morning that a former state legislator from Ankeny had been hired to work on campaign organization. Read the release below.
Carmine Boal joins Branstad 2010 as Organization Chair
(URBANDALE) – The Governor Branstad 2010 Committee today announced former State Rep. Carmine Boal (R-Ankeny) as its statewide Organization Chair.
In her position, Boal will begin constructing the grassroots framework for the committee’s efforts.
“Governor Branstad is a person we know and trust to achieve great things,” said Boal. “We have been inundated with news about the bad economy and out-of-control state budget. It is time for a positive vision, and someone with the experience to solve the challenges our state faces.”
Boal served in the State Legislature from 1999 to 2008. During that time, she served as an assistant majority leader and championed a number of conservative causes.
In her most recent campaign work, Boal served on the legislative advisory committee in support of Gov. Mike Huckabee’s 2008 Iowa caucus effort.
She currently works for Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education, a group dedicated to providing additional educational opportunities for Iowa children.
“This is a significant addition for our team,” said Governor Branstad. “Carmine’s experience with grassroots activists, combined with her passion for conservative issues, will help us tremendously as we move to the next level in our effort.”
Boal will immediately begin assisting in the recruitment of supporters and volunteers.
Boal recently retired after serving ten years in the Iowa House of Representatives. Prior to being elected to the Iowa House, she was elected to the Ankeny Community School Board in 1996. She is currently employed by the Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education and serves on the New Horizons Adult Care Center Board, Ankeny, Ruth Harbor Board of Directors, Des Moines, Ankeny Christian Academy Foundation Board, Ankeny, and the Iowa Association of Christian Schools Board. She is a member of the Ankeny Federated Women’s Club, PEO, and Faith Christian Fellowship.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award. 
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