Former Iowa Secretary of State/former Cedar Rapids Mayor Paul Pate has endorsed former Governor Terry Branstad’s bid for the GOP’s 2010 nomination for governor. Pate ran for governor himself in 1998, losing in the GOP primary to Jim Lightfoot who lost the General Election to Democrat Tom Vilsack. Pate, a former state representative who then won a seat in the state senate, served one term as Iowa’s secretary of state. When he decided to seek higher office in 1998, Democrat Chet Culver ran for the job of secretary of state job and served two terms in that office before winning the 2006 race for governor.
Pate had considered a “comeback” of his own in 2010, but adandoned plans to run again for secretary of state. (In case you’ve missed it, Branstad’s using the word “comeback” a lot these days.) Pate’s endorsement of Branstad comes on the heels of State Auditor Dave Vaudt’s endorsement, a signal the party establishment is rallying behind Branstad who is competing against Sioux City business consultant Bob Vander Plaats & State Representative Rod Roberts of Carroll in the GOP primary. Read today’s Branstad campaign announcement below.
Former Secretary of State Paul Pate endorses Branstad for Governor
(URBANDALE) – The Governor Branstad 2010 campaign today announced that former Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is endorsing Terry Branstad’s bid for governor.
Pate, a small business executive from Cedar Rapids who also served as mayor of the city, cited Branstad’s commitment to job growth in his endorsement.
“I worked with Governor Branstad on legislative issues when I was in the Senate, and on job growth while Iowa secretary of state,” said Pate. “He is one of the most committed, energetic and hard-working people I’ve ever met. Iowa will be fortunate to have him at the helm as we confront the challenges we face as a state.”
Gov. Branstad welcomed Pate’s endorsement, and looks forward to working with him to put a focus back on economic development.
“Paul is part of our growing team in this state, and having his assistance on my campaign is greatly appreciated,” said Gov. Branstad. “As a former elected official, and as a business owner, Paul is someone who has a fundamental understanding of Iowa’s business climate. I look forward to working with him as we put in place the policies needed to create 200,000 new private-sector jobs in Iowa.”
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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