Governor: Culver

Sadly, there just isn’t a gubernatorial candidate the Iowa State Daily Editorial Board is excited to stand behind. None of us are running to the polls for the sole purpose of supporting Chet Culver or Terry Branstad, not to mention Eric Cooper, Jonathan Narcisse or David Rosenfeld.

Having said that, we offer our endorsement to Gov. Chet Culver, in hopes that he will give us more to be excited about with another term.

It is important that Iowa’s governor is committed to maintaining, and improving, Iowa’s quality of life. This goes hand in hand with a successful economy, and this state needs both. We believe Gov. Culver is the strongest candidate to do the job — for Iowa, and for the students of Iowa’s public universities.

While former Gov. Terry Branstad has the “Branstache” going for him, some of his positions are not in the best interest of Iowa’s public universities. A ban on stem cell research, which Branstad has said he would reinstate, would severely limit our universities’ ability to compete in the scientific field at a time when federal restrictions on stem cell research are being loosened and lifted. And, after all, isn’t this Iowa State University of Science and Technology?

Culver, on the other hand, is focusing on the right kind of science — renewable energy. Under his leadership, Iowa is now ranked first in the nation in its percentage of total electricity produced from wind power and in wind manufacturing jobs, and second in overall wind energy production, according to the American Wind Energy Association. 

His I-JOBS infrastructure program is impressive, and, last spring, Forbes ranked Des Moines as both the number one place for business and careers and the number one place to raise a family.

Culver’s handling of last year’s budget crisis was efficient, leaving Iowa with a balanced budget after the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression — and Iowans should be reminded that Culver isn’t responsible for the economic crisis that hit Iowa — or the floods that hit in 2008 and 2010, for that matter.

Culver supports same-sex marriage and promises to resist further restrictions on abortions — two controversial stances, but stances that are necessary to make Iowa a welcoming home for everyone.

Democrats are taking a lot of flack right now, but let’s not be a state that writes off a candidate just because of the letter next to his name in a time when that letter is unpopular. Elect a candidate who has the best interests of Iowa at heart, and the best plan to protect those interests.

We believe Culver is that candidate.

Secretary of Agriculture: Thicke

Last week the Daily’s Editorial Board ran an editorial about the ideas of a certain Francis Thicke, the challenger for the Iowa secretary of agriculture. As the elections approach, this board would like to endorse this candidate.

Thicke is a man who sees a problem with the current state of agriculture in Iowa. It’s not sustainable enough, it’s not green enough and it’s far too dependent on foreign oil.

Thicke is running on a platform of solutions to these problems, and we were impressed with the specificity of these solutions. Thicke is one of those politicians with a very real plan for very real action to be taken to solve a very real problem.

As an Iowa farmer, he has a good perspective on most of the agricultural issues facing the state. He’s seen pretty much every different way of farming out there, and he knows the science behind what works, what doesn’t and why.

Some of his ideas are pretty radical, and may not be able to be immediately put into action, but they do address the issues that need to be addressed, and they are viable solutions if everyone is on board.

This editorial board sees Thicke as being head and shoulders above the competition, and we want him as our next secretary of Agriculture.

U.S. Senate: Grassley

For Senator, the Daily endorses Charles Grassley. Senator Grassley is a prominent senator who has a record of championing Iowa on the hill, and we believe, the means to do so for another six years.

Conservative Iowans will likely find little to disagree with on Grassley’s votes — he has voted with Republicans 90 percent of the time during the current congress. Cyclones will appreciate his remarks supporting our school in this summer’s Big 12 shake-up.

Still, we are dismayed by Grassley joining his republican colleagues in untruths and fear-mongering in the name of political victory. His comments on “death panels” rumored to be instituted in the new health care reform were far out of line. Despite being a vocal senator working on health care reform, we doubt his candor when his vote never seemed in play.

Roxanne Conlin has in general failed to present a convincing argument that Iowans would be better under her representation, and in any election against a five term senator, the challenger has the burden of proof.

Iowa House of Representatives: Wessel-Kroeschell

For the representative of District 45 (Campus and the surrounding area, and everything south of Lincoln Way) we endorse Beth Wessel-Kroeschell. Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell has proved herself accessible and active in our community, and a champion of the public university system in the state house. If you haven’t met her yet, you likely will soon.

Between door-knocking and a Facebook presence, Wessel-Kroeschell shows a determination to knowing students and residents and gathering their thoughts and feedback.

Her opponent, Karin Sevde, while an advocate for area businesses, fails to win favor with students by promising to reduce the size of the state government that is providing our subsidized education. Nor does Sevde’s campaign get specific about what constitutes balance or fairness, or how Iowa does not achieve it presently.

Wessel-Kroeschell has proved committed to defending students and advocating for us in Des Moines, and we think your vote for her is well deserved.