Rod Roberts has eye on Iowa's top post
By Bret Hayworth | Posted: Tuesday, June 30, 2009
State Rep. Rod Roberts said he's sending Iowa Republicans a message that he's seriously considering a run for governor in 2010.
Roberts, of Carroll, said he will form an exploratory committee next month, joining the ranks of fellow Republicans state Rep. Christopher Rants and businessman Bob Vander Plaats, both of Sioux City.
To date, no Iowa Republican has formally declared a run for governor, and Roberts said any announcement about a formal candidacy would come in the fall.
The fact that he'll form an exploratory committee in a matter of weeks, he said, will let the state's Republicans know he's serious about a gubernatorial bid.
"The interest is heightened when people know you are at that level," he said.
Roberts said he began thinking of a gubernatorial bid when he held a September 2008 fundraiser in Carroll at which former Govs. Robert Ray and Terry Branstad, who served a combined 30 years, were on hand. They said he should be considered in the field of potential candidates, and as the 2009 legislative year moved on, the idea percolated for Roberts.
Vander Plaats "kind of has a front-runner status" from indicating his desire to run well before anyone else, and Rants gets a lot of ink, Roberts said, noting that the 2010 race is a "tortoise and hare" event of considerable length.
Roberts has served Iowa House District 51 since 2001, following two terms on the Carroll School Board. He's never lost an election.
"People believe that I can represent them well," said Roberts, a development official for Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. He hasn't served in a pastoral role since 1989.
Roberts pointed to his knowledge in working on education issues and skill in serving in the House Republican leadership ranks.
Roberts said he has appeal beyond the Republican base and could pull in votes among Democrats and independents. He said the traditional Republican message of limited government and personal responsibility is still well-received but that a messenger capable of being a new face for the party is needed.
"Republicans have to accept that there is an image problem for the party and sometimes we are kind of cast as being hard-hearted, and I don't know if mean-spirited is right, but sometimes it seems we have this label put on us and maybe it is not fair, but there is a perception that exists," he said.
The party needs a candidate who has a conservative perspective on issues but is approachable, likeable, humble and open to reaching out and working with people, Roberts said.
Read more in Hayworth's Politically Speaking blog at www.siouxcityjournal.com/blogs
Who might run in the 2010 Republican governor's race?
Have formed exploratory candidate committees: Businessman Bob Vander Plaats and State Rep. Christopher Rants, both of Sioux City.
Mentioned with gubernatorial interest: State Rep. Rod Roberts, state Sen. Jerry Behn, former state legislator Jeff Lamberti, state Sen. Paul McKinley, U.S. Congressman Steve King.
Pondered but nixed idea: State Auditor David Vaudt.
Roberts, of Carroll, said he will form an exploratory committee next month, joining the ranks of fellow Republicans state Rep. Christopher Rants and businessman Bob Vander Plaats, both of Sioux City.
To date, no Iowa Republican has formally declared a run for governor, and Roberts said any announcement about a formal candidacy would come in the fall.
The fact that he'll form an exploratory committee in a matter of weeks, he said, will let the state's Republicans know he's serious about a gubernatorial bid.
"The interest is heightened when people know you are at that level," he said.
Roberts said he began thinking of a gubernatorial bid when he held a September 2008 fundraiser in Carroll at which former Govs. Robert Ray and Terry Branstad, who served a combined 30 years, were on hand. They said he should be considered in the field of potential candidates, and as the 2009 legislative year moved on, the idea percolated for Roberts.
Vander Plaats "kind of has a front-runner status" from indicating his desire to run well before anyone else, and Rants gets a lot of ink, Roberts said, noting that the 2010 race is a "tortoise and hare" event of considerable length.
Roberts has served Iowa House District 51 since 2001, following two terms on the Carroll School Board. He's never lost an election.
"People believe that I can represent them well," said Roberts, a development official for Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. He hasn't served in a pastoral role since 1989.
Roberts pointed to his knowledge in working on education issues and skill in serving in the House Republican leadership ranks.
Roberts said he has appeal beyond the Republican base and could pull in votes among Democrats and independents. He said the traditional Republican message of limited government and personal responsibility is still well-received but that a messenger capable of being a new face for the party is needed.
"Republicans have to accept that there is an image problem for the party and sometimes we are kind of cast as being hard-hearted, and I don't know if mean-spirited is right, but sometimes it seems we have this label put on us and maybe it is not fair, but there is a perception that exists," he said.
The party needs a candidate who has a conservative perspective on issues but is approachable, likeable, humble and open to reaching out and working with people, Roberts said.
Read more in Hayworth's Politically Speaking blog at www.siouxcityjournal.com/blogs
Who might run in the 2010 Republican governor's race?
Have formed exploratory candidate committees: Businessman Bob Vander Plaats and State Rep. Christopher Rants, both of Sioux City.
Mentioned with gubernatorial interest: State Rep. Rod Roberts, state Sen. Jerry Behn, former state legislator Jeff Lamberti, state Sen. Paul McKinley, U.S. Congressman Steve King.
Pondered but nixed idea: State Auditor David Vaudt.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
More Local Headlines
Most Commented
- Gays should have full civil rights (67)
- What now? (40)
- What will be Michael Jackson legacy in the world of pop culture? (35)
- Should "steroid era" ball players be allowed to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame? (31)
- What are your thoughts on the signing Monday of a law that gives the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco? (30)
