Branstad follow-thru: appoints Mauro Labor Commissioner

Republican Governor-elect Terry Branstad said two days after winning election to a fifth term that he might ask Secretary of State Michael Mauro, a Democrat, to join his administration.  Mauro lost his bid for a second term to Republican Matt Schultz, a Council Bluffs City Councilman.  Here’s a little bit of what Branstad said on November 4, 2010:

…Andy Dufflemeyer from IowaPolitics.com asked the question: “You talked a lot about the importance of electing the entire Republican team. Will there be spots in your administration for Brenna Findley and Dave Jamison?”

Branstad responded: “Yes, I think there’s a possibility for them.  I think there’s also a possibility for Mike Mauro.  I think he was a very good secretary of state. I called Mike to offer my condolences and I think he’s a very capable individual that I certainly want to consider as well.  

“…I mentioned Mike Mauro because I thought he was very fair in the job that he did as secretary of state. He treated our campaign fairly. I think he treated everybody fairly and I know a lot of people across the state of Iowa have a lot of respect for him and for the job that he did and so I feel that he’s one, certainly, but there are many others. “

Late this afternoon, Branstad announced he’s asked Mauro to be the state labor commissioner.  Read the news release below.

Branstad names Michael Mauro as Iowa’s next Labor Commissioner

Service will begin May 1, 2011 at the expiration of the current Labor Commissioner’s term

Iowa Governor-elect Terry Branstad today announced that he intends to nominate Secretary of State Michael Mauro as Iowa Labor Commissioner for a term beginning May 1, 2011.

“Michael Mauro has been a dedicated and effective public servant for many years,” said Branstad. “As Labor Commissioner Michael will be responsible for programs designed to protect the safety, health, and security of Iowa’s workforce.  I am proud to nominate him for this important role and he has my full confidence. I was impressed with the fair and even way he administered election laws and how he effectively managed the Iowa secretary of state’s office.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to work for the Branstad Administration and appreciate the confidence he has shown in me,” said Mauro. “This new challenge is a great opportunity to further serve Iowans and I look forward to beginning that work.”

Branstad further announced that Mauro will begin employment on January 3, 2011, as deputy director at Iowa Workforce Development, where he will manage special projects and also work with current Iowa Labor Commissioner David Neil, to ensure a smooth and seamless transition when his term begins on May 1.

Maybe today’s news makes up for finding out his house had been ransacked and he’d been robbed on Election Night.  Here’s a bit more background on Mauro, from a campaign profile:

…Mauro is a Des Moines native who graduated from Drake University and taught high school government after college.

In 1983, Mauro went to work in the Polk County Auditor’s Office and he served as the elected county auditor for his last nine years there. In 2006, Mauro was elected Secretary of State and he’s seeking a second term this fall.

 ”I’ve been administering elections in Iowa for over 25 years and during that time I’ve had a simple, basic philosophy and that’s to make the process as easy as possible, while at the same time make sure it is safe, secure and fair,” Mauro said recently on Iowa Public Television.