Des Moines — Former Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican, won a close race in Tuesday night’s general election and will be beginning his fifth term as Iowa governor in January. Branstad defeated Gov. Chet Culver by receiving 53 percent of votes as apposed to Culver’s 43.3 percent. 

Culver phoned Branstad to concede from the election slightly before 11 p.m. and thanked his supporters for their assistance.

“Tonight I feel like the luckiest guy on the face of the earth. I can’t tell you what an honor it is to be asked by Iowans to serve as their governor again. I’m more excited about the job ahead than I was the first time I stood here on election night. It’s a privilege to serve Iowans … I aim to prove you right,” Branstad said.

“I will always do my best. I will always act with your best interest in heart. Iowans deserve a government that’s as good as its people. I won’t rest until we make sure that it happens.”

Branstad is an Iowa native who was born in Leland, Iowa, and attended the University of Iowa and Drake University Law School. He began his political career in the Iowa House of Representatives and later as lieutenant governor under Gov. Robert Ray.

He was elected governor in 1983, and at the age of 36 was the youngest governor Iowa ever elected. He served four consecutive terms until he was succeeded by Democrat Tom Vilsack, who served from 1999 to 2007. Vilsack was succeeded by Culver, who was defeated in Tuesday’s polls.

The governor-elect will hit the ground running with plans to re-staff his department and begin implementing his five-year plan that includes provisions for economic development, better veteran compensation, education and to drastically improve agricultural output.

“He’s going to start by putting effective managers in place and surround himself with good people,” said Tim Albrecht, Branstad’s communications director. “He will pick talented, able people to surround himself with who know what they’re doing, regardless of their party or their politics. He’s going to pick the best people for those positions.”

According to his website, Branstad has plans to reboot Iowa’s current job market by keeping jobs within the state. His aggressive five-step program will implement his policies by assembling teams to work alongside Iowa companies and farmers to increase Iowa’s exports.

“It takes somebody to go out and sell our state and be an ambassador for Iowa,” Albrecht said. “He’s going to be Iowa’s ambassador to the state, country and the world.”

He promises to double Iowa crop production by promoting better crop regulation that includes reforming the regulating process to expedite business and remove unnecessary environmental litigation. Branstad will also be promoting “sustainable entrepreneurship” to create jobs and raise income for farmers and their families.

Branstad also plans to provide more assistance to veterans by increasing employment through a veteran job bank. He will be expanding veteran benefits to include exemption from state income tax and will protect and improve the Iowa Veteran’s Trust Fund.

Culver was thankful for Iowans giving him a chance.

“I want to thank the people of Iowa, those who voted for me and those who didn’t vote for me, for giving me chance,” he said.

Culver said he was proud of his work, citing accomplishments including balancing the budget, a high bond rating, raising the minimum wage, expanding preschool and children’s health care among a number of other items.

“We are very proud of our record and we’ve delivered,” Culver said. “This campaign was not about the next election, it was about the next generation.”

As the speech concluded, “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey played and a crowd full of staff and volunteers, some in tears, some hugging each other.

Moments later, Culver emerged with his family and spoke to the press corps. He said his next top priority was to coach his son’s fourth-grade football team.

Culver said he disagreed with Branstad on a number of issues, but said he had faith in the Iowa voters to hold the governor-elect accountable.

Vietnam veteran John Strong believes in Branstad’s plans for Veterans.

“Young veterans need help, and certainly old veterans who are either retired and need more money … I think its a good idea,” Strong said, referring to Branstad’s plans to increase benefits for veterans. “I think it might be [viable]. It depends on the economy right now and how much the government can spend. Eventually I think they can do something like that.”

Branstad did not specifically address education and student debt on his website, but Albrecht said education is a high priority and the Branstad administration will work hard to alleviate student debt.

“Double-digit tuition increases never occurred under Branstad. What we have to do is get this budget under control,” Albrecht said. “Double-digit tuition increases are unacceptable and never happened when he was governor before. He’s going to work to prevent those.”

Additional reporting contributed by Tyler Kingkade

Final results updated 11.3.10