Fayette County Republican Party Iowa

Ames Straw Poll 2011

2011-08-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

Bachmann, Pawlenty, and Romeny top Fayette Straw Poll

2011-08-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

We conducted a "Straw Poll" of 2012 GOP presidential candidates at the Fayette County Fair last week. Fairgoers stopped by our Fayette County Republicans booth for free lemonade and a chance to win a $25 beef and a $25 pork certificate.

Top three finishers in our Straw Poll(in order) were Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, and Mitt Romney.

Fayette County Fair starts tomorrow; Straw Poll & beef/pork prizes at Fayette GOP booth

2011-07-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Fayette County Sendoff for Maj. Dave Hanson

2011-07-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

T-Paw on the campaign stump at Beck's In Waterloo

2011-07-08T20:11:00.000-07:00

About 50 people came to hear Gov. Tim Pawlenty at Beck's restaurant in Waterloo, Iowa.

Sendoff Party For Major Dave Hanson on July 9th

2011-06-27T07:35:00.000-07:00

June Fayette Republican Party Meeting highlights

2011-06-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Had an excellent Fayette RCC monthly meeting last night with 18 in attendance. Had two presidential surrogates, Peter Singleton for Sarah Palin and Zach Dalluge for Herman Cain. Daryl Dolf gave us an upate on the Fayette County Supervisors while Bill Dix gave us a State Senate update. Mike Breitbach spoke about running for the new Iowa Senate position next year. Had an excellent potluck meal before our meeting...thanks to Gaylen & eveyone! Herman Cain will be headlining our Fayette County Republicans Summer Picnic on August 6th.

Gov. Branstad to hold town hall meeting in Oelwein May 24th

2011-05-14T05:03:00.000-07:00

Gov. Terry Branstad will hold a townhall meeting in Oelwein on May 24th from 2:30 to 3:30pm at Luigi's Restaurant.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty at Fayette County GOP

2011-04-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

Had a great event today as an enthuisiastic crowd of about 75 heard Gov. Tim Pawlenty at the Fsyette Opera House.

Governor Tim Pawlenty to headline Fayette County Republican Party Spring Fundraiser

2011-03-08T19:43:00.000-08:00

Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be the headliner for the Fayette County Republican Party fundraiser. Event will be held at the Fayette Opera House on Saturday April 2nd from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Lunch wuill be served and there will be a freewill offering.

Iowa Faith & Freedom Presidential Forum on Monday

2011-03-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

Contact: Steve Scheffler

515-225-1515

***For Immediate Release***

February 28th, 2011

Despite the slow start to the 2012 presidential caucus season in the state, the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition seems to be cutting through the fog with their annual Spring Kickoff event. The event has already begun to garner national media interest for its role in the 2012 Iowa Caucuses and expected turnout is on the rise.

As a result, the group has added an additional name to their line-up of speakers as they close in on Monday, March 7th event. The event is now set to feature five individuals that have been billed as potential presidential candidates heading into the 2012 Iowa Caucuses. Those candidates are former CEO of Godfathers Pizza Herman Cain, former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and the recent addition of former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich. This collection of speakers marks the first event of its kind in the 2012 race with multiple potential candidates sharing the same stage. A similar event is not likely to be seen this spring.

Other distinguished guests expected to attend the event include conservative Congressman Steve King, Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and the president of the national Faith & Freedom coalition and Fox News contributor Ralph Reed.

The event is set to be held at Point of Grace Church in Waukee. Light refreshments will be served from 5:30 to 6:15 in the atrium. The program will start promptly at 6:15 in the church sanctuary. Point of Grace is a superb facility that will accommodate a large crowd. There is seating for up to 800 people. This is the Iowa must-attend political spring event in Iowa! This will be an exciting, patriotic event that you won’t want to miss! There will be candidate and issue-oriented literature tables for you to browse. There will be opportunities for you to interact with the candidates. In addition, we expect to have many state legislators on hand—take the opportunity to tell them that you are proud of the job they are doing on the “hill.”

We expect to have media from all over the state, nation, and even foreign press who will be covering this exciting event!

Where else could this opportunity come about—only in Iowa—the site of the first presidential caucus of 2012! As the most viable and effective multi-issue pro-family organization in Iowa, we are proud and honored to host this event.

Come join us for this truly exciting event—our 2012 Spring Kick Off. Invite your family and friends and let’s pack the place out—Monday, March 7th!

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP—call our office at 515/225-1515.

Steve Scheffler

President, Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

Paid for by the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition

939 Office Park Road, Suite 115 - West Des Moines, IA 50265

www.ffciowa.com — 515-225-1515

Bob Vander Plaats "The Family Leader" event in Oelwein March 16th

2011-02-20T04:41:00.000-08:00

Bob Vander Plaats and The Family Leader http://www.thefamilyleader.com/
will be visiting Fayette County on their 99 county tour across Iowa on March 16th.
Exact site & time TBD. Event is called "Capturing Momentum Tour", a 99 County Conversation across Iowa.

Feb. 8th Fayette RCC monthly meeting

2011-02-15T19:12:00.000-08:00

We had a good meeting on Feb. 8th and featured a guest speaker. Chad Steenhoek, the NE Iowa Regional Director for Strong America Now made the drive over from Ames to share info with us on his organization. Next monthly meeting is March 8th and a crew from Fox News is expected to be in attendance as they are filming a documentary on the Iowa Caucus. Also, we will be discussing our fundraiser.

State Sen. Bill Dix Forum in West Union

2011-02-05T05:34:00.000-08:00

Newly elected State Sen. Bill Dix held his first forum in West Union yesterday. Some of the issues discussed were marriage, business taxes, and Iowa's budget.

Ronald Reagan at 100

2011-02-04T07:14:00.000-08:00

Today would have been President Reagan's 100th birthday...or "Dutch" Reagan as he was known back in his radio days with WOC in Davenport and WHO in Des Moines. I remember when President Reagan was in Davenport around 1987-88 to address the Chamber of Commerce. It was $1000 donation to the RNC to get your "photo opp" with the Gipper, needless to say it was a little beyond my budget and I had to pass on the photo. My wife & I had the opportunity to visit Reagan's Presidential Library a few years ago. I've visited several presidential libraries in my travels, and RR's is at the top of the list.

I've read numerous books about Reagan and my favorite is Lou Cannon's "Governor Reagan", which deals with his pre-presidential career. Reagan was elected governor of California in 1966 upsetting incumbent Pat Brown(Jerry's dad). A lot of people don't realize that Dutch ran for the GOP presidential nomination in 1968 and 1976, and won on his third try (1980). In 1968 Reagan had the highest number of delegates going into the Republican Convention and lost to fellow Californian Richard Nixon. In 1976 he challenged a sitting Republican president(Gerald Ford) and lost a razor thin race for the nomination.

Reagan's a "Time for Choosing" speech for Barry Goldwater in 1964 was the moment when the conservative torch was passed to Reagan. Rest in peace Dutch, and thanks for restoring America's values and reminding us of that "Shining City."

The Family Leader Presidential Lecture Series

2011-02-02T05:40:00.000-08:00

The FAMiLY LEADER

presents

Presidential Lecture Series
Governor Tim Pawlenty
February 7, 2011

The FAMiLY LEADER will host a Presidential Lecture Series beginning February 7th at three campus locations across Iowa. Former Governor Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota will kick-off the monthly series and be the first speaker to deliver a pro-family lecture. This educational lecture will be open to the public, free of charge. Governor Pawlenty will deliver a 25-minute pro-family lecture followed by a structured Q&A facilitated by Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER. The locations and times are listed below.

Pella Christian High School
300 Eagle Lane, Pella, IA 50219
Vermeer Auditorium
12:45-1:45 PM

University of Iowa
125 North Madison St., Iowa City, IA 52242
Iowa Memorial Union Ballroom
3:45-4:45 PM

Dordt College
498 4th Avenue NE, Sioux Center, IA 51250
Campus Center
7:30-8:30 PM

The monthly Presidential Lecture Series will feature one national political figure delivering his or her pro-family speech in all three locations. The primary purpose of the Presidential Lecture Series is to provide prominent national figures with a pre-planned, full day in Iowa to introduce them to Iowans and to allow citizens an opportunity to become better informed on his or her pro-family vision.

The dates for the monthly Presidential Lecture Series include Februrary 7, March 7, April 11, May 2, June 6, July 11, and August 1. Congresswoman Bachmann is scheduled to join the series line-up on April 11. Former Senator Rick Santorum will be the lecturer on May 2. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and radio talk show host Herman Cain have committed to participate but dates have not been finalized. Invitations have also been extended to former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, South Dakota Senator John Thune, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, and Congressman Ron Paul.

For a complete schedule, click here. For additional questions, call 515-263-3495, ext. 10.

Please join us for this exciting educational opportunity!

State Senator Bill Dix to host West Union forum on Friday

2011-02-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

Satet Senator Bill Dix will be hosting a forum at the West Union Library from 4:30-5:30pm on Friday Feb. 4th.

Gov. Pawlenty booksigning event in Ankeny

2011-01-30T18:36:00.001-08:00

I had a chance to travel to Polk County today to Ankeny's Family Christian Bookstore. Gov. Tim Pawlenty was on hand signing copies of his book "Courage To Stand." A good crowd of political activists and media was on hand at the event.
I'm adding a video to the website of Gov. Pawlenty being interviewed by the media.

January Fayette RCC Meeting

2011-01-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

Had a great Fayette RCC meeting last night with 25 in attendance and a wonderful potluck dinner. A big "thank you" to everyone for a great meeting!

See you at our next meeting on Feb. 8th!

Fayette County RCC meeting tomorrow!

2011-01-10T15:54:00.000-08:00

Just a friendly reminder that the monthly Fayette County RCC meeting is tomorrow night at 7pm at the ISU Extentsion office in Fayette & is a "potluck." Thanks!

January Fayette RCC & Oelwein Tea Party meetings info

2011-01-02T05:33:00.001-08:00

Fayette County Republican Party meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday Jan. 11th at the ISU extension office in Fayette, will be a potluck. Walt Tegtmeier and his Oelwein Tea Party organization will be meeting at 1pm on January 8th at Doc's Triple D in Oelwein.

Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition to host 2012 presidential candidates forum on March 7th

2010-12-29T21:53:00.000-08:00

An early GOP 2012 presidential forum is being hosted by Steve Scheffler and his group, the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition. Scheffler, who is also a RNC delegate from Iowa will be inviting potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates to the March 7th Des Moines area forum this week.

Merry Christmas From Fayette County GOP

2010-12-24T13:27:00.001-08:00

Ames Straw Poll to be held on August 13th

2010-12-17T17:23:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars as the Republican Party of Iowa has announced that the Ames Straw Poll will be held on 8/13/2011. The Ames or Iowa Straw Poll is a great opportunity to see many of the GOP presidential candidiates inperson and is a fun event for all.

MN Governor Tim Pawlenty to visit Iowa on book tour

2010-12-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

Thursday, 1/13 (Washington, DC)
Speak at National Press Club, Washington, DC
Book signing, Washington, DC

Friday, 1/14 (Florida)
Speak at the Hispanic Leadership Network Inaugural Conference, Miami, FL
Book signing, Tampa, FL

Tuesday, 1/18 (Minnesota)
Book signing, Woodbury, MN

Thursday, 1/20 (Texas)
Book signing, Dallas, TX

Friday, 1/21 (Texas)
Book signing, Dallas, TX
Book signing, Houston, TX

Monday, 1/24 (New Hampshire)
Merrimack County GOP Dinner, Concord, NH
Book signing, Manchester, NH

Tuesday, 1/25 (New Hampshire)
Politics & Eggs, Bedford, NH

Thursday, 1/27 (Minnesota)
Book signing, Burnsville, MN
Book signing, St. Cloud, MN

Saturday, 1/29 (Ohio)
12th Annual Hamilton County Pancake Breakfast, Cincinnati, OH

Sunday, 1/30 (Iowa)
Book signing, Ankeny, IA
Waukee Chamber of Commerce Dinner

Monday, 1/31 (Iowa)
Book signing, West Des Moines, IA

State Senator Bill Dix addresses Oelwein Tea Party

2010-12-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

Our newly elected State Senatar Bill Dix addressed Walt Tegtmeier and the Oelwein Tea Party at Doc's Triple D in Oelwein today. A spirited discussion of the recent elections, the upcoming legislative session, as well as the 2012 Iowa Caucus were among the topics covered.

Branstad urges 2012 candidates not to skip Ames Straw Poll

2010-12-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

Home > News Poll Problem: Incoming Governor Warns Presidential Candidates Not to Skip Event If They Want His Support
Branstad said pre-caucus endorsement is possible

Share 0diggsdiggDave Price

8:47 a.m. CST, December 1, 2010
E-mail Print Share Text Size who-story-straw-poll-future-113010
Iowa Governor-elect Terry Branstad, a Republican, could become the king of the caucus. He is the state's top Republican and Republican candidates for president would love to get his support before the caucuses.

Branstad said candidates could learn something from him, although he isn't saying at this point that he will endorse a candidate before the Iowa Caucuses. He said, "I think I've demonstrated how you can win elections in Iowa and you do it by going to all 99 counties and meeting with a lot of people and articulate a vision and plan for where you want to lead the state, or in this case, the country."

Branstad said he doubts he would support a candidate who skips the Republican Party's Straw Poll, which raises tens of thousands of dollars for the party. Branstad said, "Not participating is certainly not a very good strategy. So I would certainly come and participate."

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn told Channel 13 the Straw Poll is scheduled to take place next August, like it has since 1987. In 2008, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani skipped the Straw Poll.

Repealing Obamacare, State by State

2010-11-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

Repealing Obamacare, State by State

Repealing Obamacare, state by state

By Tim Pawlenty,

Thursday, November 18, 2010 at midnight

After a historic election reflecting six in ten voters wanting to repeal Obamacare, the question now facing conservatives is how.

As long as President Barack Obama holds his veto pen, undoing this misguided piece of legislation will not be easy. But we can make progress. While Congress takes important steps toward eventual repeal, governors can use their authority to stop or delay implementation of Obamacare. It must be fought not only in Washington but in state capitols.

In Minnesota, I issued an executive order directing state agencies to reject participation in Obamacare unless required by law or consistent with existing state policy. I also joined the federal lawsuit that challenges Obamacare’s individual mandate and invokes the 10th Amendment in defense of states’ rights and a proper view of federalism. Newly elected Republican governors should consider taking similar actions.

Fighting Obamacare, however, is not enough. Merely restoring the status quo of skyrocketing costs, narrowing access, and structural dysfunction would be a mistake. Our health care system needs to be more effective and affordable. Reforms should feature timeless conservative principles applied to the challenges and opportunities of our time.

The great tragedy of Obamacare is not only that we know it will fail, but that we have not implemented health care reforms that we know will succeed.

In recent years, Minnesotans have embraced innovative, conservative health care reform. We focused on improving quality and containing cost, not just expanded access. We made it easier for consumers to use HSA plans (Minnesota is second in the nation on HSAs). We provided online cost and quality information for the 100 most common health services. We passed tort reform to curb frivolous lawsuits. And we engaged the private sector as a partner, not as an opponent.

Today, Minnesotans enjoy one of the finest health care systems in the country. We continue to have some of the healthiest people in the nation and one of the lowest rates of uninsured. We have learned through trial and error what works, and we know what doesn’t.

We know that we need to give people more power over the use of their health care dollars and decisions. Today, six of every seven health care dollars is spent by someone other than the person receiving the care. Health care today is like an open bar. When someone else is paying the bill, people behave differently. For decades, this open bar approach has encouraged wasteful spending by individuals and providers rather than a sober assessment of costs and benefits. But our struggling economy and deficit-ridden budgets are flashing warning lights that closing time is near.

Obamacare was a missed opportunity to fix this systemic problem and the new law only made matters worse by taking control away from people. In fact, the new law allows the government to eventually control over half of all health care spending. True reform must turn our government-run system right side up, giving patients control over their health care dollars and decisions, while subjecting providers and insurers to the competitive forces of a real market.

Giving Americans more choice, ownership and responsibility will bring about greater efficiency and lower costs. Making this shift from the government to purchasers will not happen overnight, but here are some ideas for Congress to get us moving in the right direction.

Congress should change the tax code to end the bias against people who purchase their own health insurance. People who buy insurance through their employer get a tax break on the value of the benefits. Individual and group purchasers should be treated the same.

Congress should allow individuals to shop across state lines for health insurance. Doing so would dramatically increase insurance choices and cut costs through better competition.

Most importantly, Congress should back off and give the states latitude. If states can demonstrate a better way to reach policy goals, Congress should permit states to do what works best. A one-size-fits-all approach has not and will never work in a country as diverse as ours. This is what federalism is all about.

Obamacare is one of the most misguided pieces of legislation in the modern history of our country. A 2,000-page, trillion-dollar, politically driven takeover of one-sixth of our economy, Obamacare is both too complicated to succeed and too broken to repair. Voters this year sent a strong message that they want it stopped. The newly elected Republican governors gathering in San Diego this week have an opportunity to do just that.

Pawlenty is in his second term as governor of Minnesota. He is vice chair of the Republican Governors Association, which is meeting this week in San Diego.

Tim Pawlenty: Time to close the open bar in Washington - Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

2010-11-18T12:15:00.000-08:00

Tim Pawlenty: Time to close the open bar in Washington - Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

Tim Pawlenty: Time to close the open bar in Washington

Print
Email
Mobile

" target=_blank>Share on Facebook
ShareThis
Reader comments

Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

One of the key lessons from this year's historic elections is that Americans understand that nothing is truly free. It's a basic, common-sense principle. The broad message was that as a nation, we cannot endlessly spend money we don't have, pretending that somehow the bill will magically disappear.

It was a first, important step in returning our country to both reality and responsibility. The American people wisely said they've had enough of liberal, unsustainable spending. Taxpayers know that the money the government spends is our money. It belongs to the people, and eventually the bill comes due. And Americans know from experience that we all behave differently when we're spending our own money, not "someone else's money."

For example, most of us have attended weddings, some with open bars, and some with cash bars. Behavior predictably is different depending on whether people are drinking for "free" or not. Guests presented with options at a cash bar typically will pause and think about what they would like to consume, how much they would like to consume, and how much it will cost. The money they spend is their own, and they tend, for the most part, to make reasonable and rational choices.

Now consider an open bar. Guests tend to consume almost endlessly (we've all seen it), with no regard for cost, much less the volume of consumption. People at an open bar are more likely to embarrass themselves, not to mention bankrupt the father of the bride.

Washington, D.C., has essentially become an open bar affair: Congress hands out "free stuff" without concern for the bill. We've seen bailouts for big banks and car companies, "cash for clunkers," and mortgages for all. The Democrats passed a "stimulus" that only made the deficit bigger, while they did nothing to reform entitlement programs.

In a great country song, Garth Brooks sings, "long neck bottle, let go of my hand." The current mess we're in is not someone else's fault. The solution is in our hands.

It starts by cutting spending and limiting government. There should be no illusion: we cannot dig ourselves out of the enormous fiscal hole we're in only by making easy cuts to waste, fraud and abuse. We must set priorities and make the tough choices necessary to restore balance.

Lobbyists, public-employee unions and special interests will fight every change. They'll insist that every program is sacred, every cut is too deep, and every reform will fail. But they're wrong.

The story in my state of Minnesota is instructive. In the four decades before I was elected governor, Minnesota's biennial budget increased an average of about 21 percent -- the same rate that the federal budget grew during President Obama's first two years in the White House. But under my watch, we cut that rate of growth down to less than 2 percent annually. Last year, we cut the 2-year budget in real terms for the first time in Minnesota's 150-year history.

It wasn't easy, especially in such a historically liberal state, but we proved it was possible to cut spending.

For example, when it came to state employees and their health care, we gave individuals more freedom and responsibility to decide how to spend their own money. What does that mean? To reverse the trend of soaring health care costs in Minnesota, we gave our state employees financial incentives to select high-quality, low-cost health care. With some of their own skin in the game, the vast majority of employees chose more efficient providers. As a result, over the last five years we've seen low, and in some years no, premium increases.

Contrast that with President Obama's approach to health care reform. It drags health care into Washington, D.C., expanding bureaucracy, mandates, entitlements and government subsidies. It does nothing to control costs. And once again, the government will serve up the allure of endless consumption and a magically disappearing bill. But we know nothing is truly free.

The new House of Representatives should make repeal of ObamaCare a top priority. And as I did in Minnesota, newly elected governors around the country should refuse to embrace it and join lawsuits to overturn it.

The open-bar mentality in Washington D.C. needs to stop, immediately.

On Election Day, Americans said they want a return to common sense. They want reduced, redesigned and responsible government. It's well past closing time, and the federal government needs to sober up.

Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, is the governor of Minnesota.

2010-11-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

Newt Gingrich: I'm working to clear path for 2012 presidential run

Sarah Palin to visit Iowa on booksigning tour

2010-11-13T05:38:00.000-08:00

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will visit Des Moines and Spirit Lake to promote her new book "America by heart: reflections on family, faith, and flag." She will sign books in Des Moines on November 27th and Spirit Lake on December 2nd.

Great day for Fayette County Republicans!

2010-11-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

Wonderful election results last night!!!! GOPers Jeanine Tellin and Darrel Dolf defeated incumbent Democrats in the Fayette County Board of Supervisors race! State Senate District #9 candidate Bill Dix won with 57% defeating another Democrat incumbent. In the state house #18 race Roger Arthur trails incumbent Democrat Andrew Wenthe by 28 votes(5473 to 5445)...too close to call. The three activist judges were dismissed from the Iowa Supreme Court and Fayette County helped as we voted 56% to "not retain". Ben Lange lost a bitter close US Congress race to incumbent Ben Braley 49% to 47% statewide and 49% to 48% in Fayette County. Upticket saw Sen. Grassley re-elected 66% in Fayette County and 64% statewide. Gov. Branstad was swept back into office defeating incumbent Chet Culver with 53% both Fayette County and statewide.
A huge "thank you" to all of the volunteers who made these historic wins possible!

Gov. Branstad & Sen. Reynolds rally at Upper Iowa University in Fayette

2010-10-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

(click on pic for videos)

(click on pic for video)

Gov. Terry Branstad & his running mate Sen. Kim Reynolds addressed a full house of 75at the Andres Business Center on the campus at Upper Iowa University in Fayette. Will the election only 5 days away it was good to see a nice turnout on a chilly Iowa night.

Ben Lange campaigns in Fayette

2010-10-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

US Congressional candidate Ben Lange spent some time campaigning in downtown Fayette on Thursday October 28th. Lange, one of the GOP's rising stars greeted local patrons in Fayette businesses on Main Street, good ole fashioned retail politics. With the election only 5 days away Lange is in a extremely close race against Bruce Braley.

Romney with Gov. Branstad in Cedar Rapids, Iowa October 26, 2010

2010-10-26T11:55:00.001-07:00

Click on VIDEOS above for more of this event_or_go to the Videos page

Today former MA Governor Mitt Romney campaigned with Gov. Terry Branstad & Sen. Kim Reynolds in Cedar Rapids. A crowd of about 150 were in attendance. With seven days until the midterm election Romney praised the Iowa slate of GOP candidates and made no mention of 2012 plans. Attorney General candidate Brenna Fridley and several other statewide candidates were part of a Iowa GOP team that is visiting Cedar Rapids and Dubuque today.

Quick reminder: Gov. Branstad & Sen. Reynolds to visit Upper Iowa University in Fayette on Thursday

2010-10-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

Governor Branstad and
Sen. Kim Reynolds
Upper Iowa University Rally

Fayette County Republicans Fundraiser highlights

2010-10-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

(click pic)

(click pics)

(click for video #1 - #2 )

-Videos from this event are posted on the "Videos" page of this website-

Had a wonderful event today...with 75-80 in attendance to see an allstar team of GOP candidates. Sen. Chuck Grassley, Lt Gov. candidate Kim Reynolds, US Congress candidate Ben Lange, State Senate candidate Bill Dix, Iowa Hause Candidate Bill Dix and County Supervisor candidates Tellin & Dorf were all in attendance and spoke. Also, RNC delegate & President of the Iowa Christian Alliance Steve Scheffler addressed the crowd. The Tea party was represented by Walt Tegtmeier from Oelwein and the chair of the Dubuque Tea Party organization(whose name escapes me). Had a lunch of brats, beans, salad, and ice cream and some great conservative rhetoric. A big "thank you" to everyone who volunteered their time and money to the event, special thanks and "shout out" to tireless volunteer and Tea Party activist Walt Tegtmeir, Irene Ibene, and our gracious host Steve Spore who allowed us to use his Doc's Triple D in Oelwein as our meeting place. And thanks to Mike and Deb Scheit for the macaroni salad! Had one person refer to Kim Reynolds as the "Iowa Sarah Palin", as she was very impressive!

Newt Gingrich at the Iowans For Tax Relief fundraiser

2010-09-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich spoke to an overflow crowd of over 300 at the Iowans For Tax Relief PAC fundraiser held in Waterloo, Iowa today. Newt made it clear that we should focus our efforts on 2010 and that he would decide early next year on whether to seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2012.

Governor Branstad Education Town Hall meeting at Upper Iowa University in Fayette

2010-09-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

Former Governor Terry Branstad will be speaking at Upper Iowa University in Fayette at 4:15 pm on Monday September 20th. There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend.

Upper Iowa University
Andres Center for Business and Education
Room 202
Fayette
Parking can be found along Washington Street or in Parking Lot B
For more Information Contact:
Jimmy Centers
515-556-1579
jcenters@terrybranstad.com
*** No Cost to Attend, Please Invite Your Friends and Family***
Paid for by Governor Branstad 2010
3590 – 109th St., Urbandale, IA 50322 515.276.2266
www.GovernorBranstad2010.com

Sarah Palin to headline Iowa GOP dinner

2010-08-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

DES MOINES – Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today announced Governor Sarah Palin will be the Party’s special guest at the upcoming Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom.

“The Iowa GOP is pleased that Gov. Palin is traveling to Iowa to join the battle to return principled, conservative leadership to Iowa,” said Chairman Strawn. “Our economic and personal freedoms are under attack in Washington, DC and Des Moines. I know Iowa Republicans will be energized and motivated by Gov. Palin to stand up and fight for these principles all the way to Election Day and beyond.”

The Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom will take place the evening of Friday, September 17 in Des Moines. The exact time and location will be announced closer to the event. Tickets for the Reagan Dinner are $100 each, or $1,000 for a table of eight.

Strawn noted that while the former Governor of Alaska and Vice Presidential nominee is popular among Iowans, the current economy is challenging for many Iowa families who may wish to attend. That is why the Iowa GOP is offering Iowans an opportunity to volunteer through any of its ten statewide Victory Centers in exchange for a ticket to the Ronald Reagan “Salute to Freedom” Dinner. For additional details regarding volunteer opportunities, Iowans should contact their local Iowa GOP Victory Center in: Ames, Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Iowa City, Marion, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Urbandale.

Tickets can be reserved by emailing RSVP@IowaGOP.org or by calling 515-282-8105.

Media requesting credentials should email Danielle Plogmann at dplogmann@iowagop.org.

Newt Gingrich to appear at Waterloo fundraiser

2010-08-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

Former Speaker of the House and potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will be back in Iowa on September 9th fo rthe Iowans For Tax Relief PAC fundraiser in Waterloo. Gingrich has been a frequent visitor to Iowa which has fueled 2012 speculation. Tickets are $25 each or $40 per couple. Contact Eric Branstad at 515-20-1433 with questions.

Fayette Watermelon Days Parade

2010-08-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Despite the scorching heat we had a good turnout today for the "Watermelon Days" parade in Fayette. Several GOP candidates were in attendance including US Congressional candidiate Ben Lange as well as County Supervisor candidiates Jeanine Tellin and Daryl Dorf.

Fayette County Republicans Fundraiser with special guest Kim Reynolds on October 9th

2010-08-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

What: Fayette County Republican Party Fundraiser
When: Saturday October 9th 1-3pm
Where: Doc's Triple D Lounge, 120 S Frederick, Oelwein
How much: freewill offering hotdogs & brats, etc.... will be served
Special Guest: Lt. Governor nominee Sen. Kim Reynolds
Contact: Fayette County GOP Chair Jim Kirkpatrick
email fayettecountyiowagopchair@gmail.com

Tim Pawlenty campaigns in Iowa for state senate candidate Bill Dix

2010-07-31T14:43:00.000-07:00

(more videos on Event Page)

Photos

This afternoon was a gorgeous time for a fundraiser as an overflow crowd attended the Bill Dix for state senate fundraiser with special guest Mn Gov. Tim Pawlenty held outside of Waverly, Iowa. A potential 2012 candidate, T-Paw is on a three day swing thru eastern Iowa campaigning for local Republicans. Lots of media including the New York Times, Associated Press, Des Moines Register, as well as Twin Cities newspapers were represented at the event.

Brisk crowd at Fayette County Fair Republican Booth

2010-07-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance, please stop bye our booth. We're at the rear of the commercial exhibits building. Free lemonade..plus a couple of drawings. We have a wonderful quilt with chances @ $1 each or 6 for $5. Neil Schwake is shown pulling the winning ticket for the Caterpillar Bulldozer toy which went to Becky DenBurger of West Union.

Fayette County Fair July 27th to 31st

2010-07-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Just a friendly reminder that we're always looking for volunteers for the Fayette County GOP booth at the Fayette County Fair. Fair is held in Fayette from July 27th to 31st.

Thanks!
fayettecountyiowagopchair@gmail.com

Keep your eye on Ben Lange with strong fundraising

2010-07-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE

Iowa Republican: Ben Lange 'Best Positioned' Candidate Heading into 2010 Midterms
Website Urges Readers to Keep an Eye on Lange in IA-1

July 20, 2010

INDEPENDENCE, IA - The Iowa Republican, a leading online source of news and commentary on Iowa politics, has deemed Ben Lange as "the candidate best positioned heading into this fall's general election." In an article posted online Monday, the Iowa Republican pointed to Lange's "newfound fundraising ability" as "a great development for Iowa Republicans" and argued that several factors suggest Lange will be competitive with the liberal Democrat incumbent Bruce Braley in the 2010 midterm elections. "Republicans should feel optimistic about all of their congressional challengers, but the one who has flown under the radar thus far may be the one to keep your eye on," the article noted.

Branstad raises over $2 Million in six weeks

2010-07-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

County Chairman's Comment: Former Governor Branstad is turning up the heat as he reports some very promising fundraising numbers:

Branstad raises $2.1 million in six weeks, GOP campaign to report
Blog post by Tom Beaumont • tbeaumont@dmreg.com • July 19, 2010

Comments (0) Recommend (1) Print This Post Email This Post
Tags: Chet Culver, Iowa governor, Republican Governors Association, Terry Branstad
Republican Terry Branstad raised $2.1 million between the final days of the campaign for the June primary for governor and last week, according to information he expects to file with state campaign officials today.

The total includes at least $500,000 from the Republican Governors Association, according to previously filed documents by the national GOP campaign organization.

Branstad is also expected to report having $1.5 million on hand as of last week.

Branstad is challenging Gov. Chet Culver, a first-term Democrat.

Culver had not yet indicated how much he raised during the period. Reports for the period are due to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board today.

Branstad received 50 percent of the vote in the three-way primary on June 8.

Branstad aides did not say how much the campaign spent during the period.

Democrat group behind smear ads attacking Branstad in primary

2010-07-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

Chairman's Comment: I'm always leery of campaign groups who fail to identify themselves. In this case a Democratic group in sheep's clothing attempted to portray former Governor Terry Branstad as a "liberal" in hopes that he would lose the Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary.

National Democrat group paid for ads calling Branstad “liberal”
Blog post by Tom Beaumont • tbeaumont@dmreg.com • July 15, 2010

Comments (5) Recommend (0) Print This Post Email This Post
Tags: Barack obama, Bill Clinton, Chet Culver, Democratic Governors Association, Larry Sabato, Nancy Pelosi, Terry Branstad

The national organization for Democratic governor campaigns paid for the advertisements and mailers that attacked Republican Terry Branstad as “a liberal” in the weeks leading up to the June primary, a federal disclosure report filed Thursday shows.

The ads and mailers by a group called Iowans for Responsible Government linked Branstad with leading Democratic figures Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Bill Clinton. They were financed entirely by contributions totaling $782,500 by the Democratic Governors Association.

Viewers of the ads would have had every reason to think the ads were placed by conservatives.

However, the ads and mailers were the work of Democrats. The coordinator for Iowans for Responsible Government was Des Moines lawyer Rob Tully, former chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party.

But Tully declined before the primary to disclose who was financing the group. As a tax-exempt organization, Iowans for Responsible Government was required to file its financial disclosure report with the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday.

The expenditures mean the Democratic Governors Association has spent more than $2 million on the Iowa governor’s race since December. Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat seeking a second term, has trailed Branstad, a former four-term governor, in voter preference surveys since November.

Branstad won the three-way June 8 primary with 50 percent of the vote over Sioux City business consultant Bob Vander Plaats, who received 41 percent, and state Rep. Rod Roberts, who won 9 percent.

Culver said during a stop in Mitchellville on Thursday that he was not concerned that a group run and backed by Democrats had the appearance of a conservative organization. He said there were independent advocacy groups supporting Branstad.

The Democratic Governors Association has weighed in on other GOP races this year. In the state of Nevada, the group spent $500,000 on a similar group called the Committee to Protect Nevada for ads that attacked leading Republican candidate Brian Sandoval. Sandoval won the June primary.

The Democratic group has also backed similar ads against Ohio Republican candidate for governor John Kasich and Florida candidate Bill McCollum.

Ray Glendening, the group’s political director, said the tactic was justified because Branstad was presenting himself as a strict conservative. The ads drew attention to times Branstad signed tax increases during his 16-year tenure in the 1980s and 1990s.

“Our job is to win races,” Glendening said. “Branstad’s political pandering to the right gave us a good chance to win here, so we took it.”

Vander Plaats campaigned as the stricter conservative during the primary. He attacked Branstad for not taking stronger positions against gay marriage and noted Branstad’s choice of an abortion-rights supporter for a running mate in 1990 and 1994.

The direct mail pieces showed Branstad’s face along with Obama’s, Pelosi’s and Clinton’s on a mock Mount Rushmore. “Liberal Terry Branstad would make Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi proud,” it read.

There are 37 governorships on the ballot this year, 19 now held by Democrats and 18 by Republicans.

Culver is one of only 13 governors seeking re-election and is viewed as one of the Democrats’ more vulnerable incumbents.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, said the Democratic Governors Association’s role in the Iowa Republican primary reflects desperation.

“Not only are they way behind the Republicans in fundraising, they are going to get walloped in races this November,” Sabato said.

The report filed with the IRS shows Iowans for Responsible Government spent $370,000 on TV advertising and $314,000 on direct mail ads in May and June.

The rest was spent on consulting, production and research, including $50,900 to Harstad Strategic Research of Boulder, Colo. The company is run by Paul Harstad, the campaign pollster for Obama and Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin.

The Democratic Governors Association raised $9.1 million in the second quarter of the year, compared with $19 million for its GOP counterpart, the Republican Governors Association. At the end of June, the Republican group had $40 million on hand, compared with $22million for the Democratic group.

2012 POLL: Obama trails against Romney, Gingrich, Huckabee & tied with Palin

2010-07-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

County Chair Comment: While its important to focus on the upcoming 2010 midterm elections, the Iowa Caucus campaigning will begin shortly and these are some interesting very early numbers...

PPP: Obama, Palin tied 46/46 in 2012 pollingShare2360posted at 12:55 pm on July 15, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
printer-friendly No, this is not coming from Rasmussen or an internal GOP poll, but from the normally Democrat-sympathetic Public Policy Polling. PPP pitted Barack Obama against five potential Republican challengers for the 2012 presidential campaign, and the only one Obama beat was … Jan Brewer. Even that, PPP admitted, resulted from Brewer’s lack of name recognition. The headline, though, is Sarah Palin’s dead heat with the President:
With his approval numbers hitting new lows it’s no surprise that Barack Obama’s numbers in our monthly look ahead to the 2012 Presidential race are their worst ever this month. He trails Mitt Romney 46-43, Mike Huckabee 47-45, Newt Gingrich 46-45, and is even tied with Sarah Palin at 46. The only person tested he leads is Jan Brewer, who doesn’t have particularly high name recognition on the national level at this point.
It’s not that any of the Republican candidates are particularly well liked. Only Huckabee has positive favorability numbers at 37/28. Romney’s at 32/33, Gingrich at 32/42, Palin at 37/52, and Brewer at 17/20. But with a majority of Americans now disapproving of Obama it’s no surprise that a large chunk of them would replace him as President if they had that choice today.
There are two things driving these strong poll numbers for the Republican candidates. The first is a lead with independents in every match up. Romney leads 48-35 with them, Gingrich is up 50-39, Huckabee has a 46-40 advantage, Palin’s up 47-42, and even Brewer has a 38-37 edge.
In case one wonders whether PPP’s sample is to blame, the partisan split favors Democrats by five points, 39/34. That’s probably overstating the actual size of the gap and the percentage of Democrats in the general population, which means that the independents got short shrift as well. Also note that this poll surveyed registered voters, not likely voters — a sampling technique that would tend to favor Democrats and Obama a little more.
The news is almost uniformly bad for Obama in the poll. His approval rating is now seriously underwater at 45/52. That gets even worse among independents, 40/56. He doesn’t get above 46% in any matchup with Republicans, not even Jan Brewer, whom he beats 44/36, with 20% undecided.
For Palin, the numbers show she can play against Obama. She pulls 8% of those who voted for Obama in 2008 and 35% of those who “don’t remember” (?!?), which puts her on par for outreach with Gingrich (9%, 40%), Romney (9%, 32%), and slightly better than Huckabee (6%, 32%). If that’s not vindication for those who argued that Palin couldn’t do as well with unaffiliated voters, it’s cetainly something close to it.
Update: There seems to be some confusion in the comments over the number of people who claimed not to remember how they voted in 2008. That was 9% of the respondents in the survey (combined with those who voted third party). Since Obama won the 2008 popular vote by seven points (53/46) and this Dem +5 poll shows only 46% of respondents acknowledging their vote for Obama, I’d say it’s a healthy probability that most of that 9% voted for Obama and don’t want to acknowledge it now. Of that 9%, Palin wins 35%, Gingrich wins 40%, and so on.

Jim Kirkpatrick selected as the new chairman of the Fayette County Republican Party

2010-07-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release: 7/13/2010

Jim Kirkpatrick of Fayette has been named the new chairman
of the Fayette County Republican Party. Jim has served the last
four years on the Fayette County Republican Central Committee
as well as their webmaster. He has been active in politics for thirty
years and served on the Blackhawk County Republican Central Committee
before he and his family moved to Fayette. A longtime activist who
over the years has served as the County Chair for several statewide and
presidential candidates.

2010-07-12T21:02:00.001-07:00

Bill Dix fundraiser with special guest Governor Tim Pawlenty

Brandstad and Lange win GOP Primary

2010-06-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

Last night former governor Terry Branstad won the GOP gubernatorial primary and Ben Lange capture the US Congress nomination(US House District 1).

With all 1873 statewide precincts reporting Branstad had 50.4%, Vander Plaats 40.9%,
and Rod Roberts 8.8%. Branstad had recently been endorsed by former governors Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney. BVP had been endorsed by former governor Mike Huckabee and action star Chuck Norris. In Fayette County Branstad had 56%, BVP 37%, and Roberts 7%.

In US House District 1 race Lange had 53.1% and WIll Johnson came in second at 22.8%.
James Budde came in third with 13% and Mike La Coste had 12%.

Terry Branstad and Ben Lange win GOP primary

2010-06-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Last night former governor Terry Branstad won the GOP gubernatorial nomination while Ben Lange won the nomination for US House 1st Congressional District).

With all 1873 statewide precincts reporting Branstad had 50.4% of the vote to
Bob Vander Plaats 40.9%. Rod Roberts came in third with 8.8%. In Fayette County
with all 26 precincts reporting Branstad had 56%, BVP 37%, and Roberts 7%.

Brandstad had received recent endorsements from former governors Palin and Romney. BVP had been endorsed by former governor Huckabee as well as action star Chuck Norris who campaigned across Iowa last weekend for him.

In the US House District 1 race Lange captured 53%, Will Johnson 23%, James Budde 13%, and Mike La C