By ANDY GOODELL
SIGOURNEY — At the Keokuk County Republican’s dinner Saturday night in Sigourney, gubernatorial candidates made their cases.
Gubernatorial candidates Bob Vander Plaats, Rod Roberts and Christian Fong each made their case for governor at the Senior Center Saturday night. A 3rd U.S. Congressional District hopeful and a representative for former Republican Gov. Terry Branstand also spoke.
Sioux City businessman Vander Plaats began the night’s list of speakers by bringing up actor/fitness guru Chuck Norris’ endorsement of his campaign. In particular, Vander Plaats talked about Norris’ five “Fs” including faith, family, freedom, fight and fitness.
Norris’ idea of freedom quickly turned Vander Plaats to the issue of same-sex marriage and the April 3 decision to legalize these unions in Iowa, saying marriage between one man and one woman is the “foundation for our society.”
“What the Supreme Court did on April 3, they can’t do,” said Vander Plaats. “The Supreme Court drove a car without a license. They legislated from the bench. On Day One, I’m going to issue an executive order that places a stay on the April 3 decision on same-sex marriages until the people of Iowa have a right to vote on that issue.”
Vander Plaats next turned to education, saying that if he is elected he will appoint representatives for home schooling and private schools to the state board of education.
When it came to competing with current Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, Vander Plaats said Culver is “very vulnerable” before bringing up the fact that the last time an incumbent Iowa governor was defeated was in 1962.
“I believe Chet Culver’s biggest chance at reelection is if we nominate a candidate with a lengthy political record,” said Vander Plaats. “That record becomes the focus, not Culver’s record. The beauty of my candidacy is I don’t have a record.”
Also on hand Saturday night was gubernatorial hopeful and current Iowa State Rep. Rod Roberts, of Carroll. Elected first in 2000, Roberts is currently serving his fifth term.
The son of a high school government and history teacher, Roberts said he became interested in public service early on in life.
Roberts has worked with Christian Churches and Churches of Christ overseeing new church development and leading in strategic planning and leadership development of congregations.
“A campaign with Chet Culver is going to be about leadership — competent, capable leadership,” said Roberts. “He needs to be replaced with someone who knows how to lead.”
Roberts then discussed a recent presentation to school board members from across Iowa from Gov. Culver. He said Culver’s outlook and plan were not impressive to those there.
“He finally got to the jist of his message and basically said we’ve got difficult times, we’re going to continue in difficult times for the foreseeable future, and if any of you have a pot of money you’ve got to spend it now,” said Roberts.
He also took aim at excessive spending before noting that Iowa needs to invest in infrastructure improvements such as roads an bridges. Roberts said the business income tax in Iowa needs to be eliminated, as well.
“The problem in Des Moines is that, for three years, led by Chet Culver, we have spent money that we did not have and lived outside of our means, and you can’t do that,” said Roberts. “As we come out of this national recession, the states that will grow their economies will be states that are Right To Work states.”
Roberts concluded by saying the people of Iowa should be able to vote on the issue of same-sex marriage.
Fong was the third Republican gubernatorial hopeful to speak Saturday night.
The son of a legal immigrant, Fong is originally from Underwood, and now serves as a executive for Agon in Cedar Rapids. He began by comparing the oppressive Chinese Communists his father escaped in the early 1960s to the current Obama Administration before criticizing “out of control” government spending.
A self-proclaimed social conservative, Fong focused on his staunch pro-life stance, as well.
“I’m the first gubernatorial candidate born after Roe vs. Wade,” said Fong. “A third of my generation never got to take their first breath. I take this very personally.”
Fong also championed traditional marriage, saying Iowans should be able to vote on an amendment saying marriage is between one man and one woman.
“The first year of my administration I would call the ‘Year of the Iowa Family,’” said Fong. “I would go to all 99 counties to explain to Iowans why we have to keep the political pressure up on our Legislature to give us that opportunity to vote.”
Since 1980, only 14 of Iowa’s 99 counties have grown, said Fong.
By the year 2020, Fong said Iowa can have population and job growth statewide. By that year, Fong said Iowans can reduce the “brain drain” out of the state and that job growth depends on eliminating the state income tax.
“That will lead to job growth, job creation and more money in your pockets,” said Fong to those in attendance.
Capt. Dave Funk, of Runnells, is running for 3rd U.S. Congressional District also offered his conservative political outlook. Funk Joined the U.S. Air Force right out of high school and would eventually serve with the Iowa National Guard. Funk also worked for Northwest Airlines before retiring because of an injury.
Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Funk began with a saying from his father, which said, “Tell me who you’re with and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Funk said he learned a lot about loyalty in his service days before commenting on his opponent, Congressman Leonard Boswell.
“Apparently Congressmen Boswell has learned those same lessons in loyalty in his army days,” said Funk. “He continues to demonstrate is loyalty to Nancy Pelosi through his voting record. Tell me who you’re with and I’ll tell you who you are. He’s not with us. He doesn’t care what we think in the 3rd District, as we all know.”
Funk then focused on the Obama Administration briefly.
“I’m afraid we might have (former president) Jimmy Carter on steroids up there in the White House right now,” said Funk. “So, obviously the adults need to get back to D.C. and clean this mess up sooner rather than later.”
Funk said that, with every issue Iowans and Americans are faced with he asks himself three questions, including what the founding fathers would do and “What would Reagan do?” He added, all of the U.S. and Iowa’s problems are rooted in excessive government spending.
“You look at any problem we have and it comes back to too much government interference,” said Funk.
Funk also said federal corporate income taxes should be eliminated and closed by saying he does not claim to know everything, but will seek the advise of experts on crucial issues.
“There’s a lot of good people in this district that I can surround myself with,” said Funk.
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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com
