The ISU College Republicans attracted some GOP top brass to its dinner Friday night to discuss the importance of the Nov. 7 midterm elections.

The guest list for the dinner, which took place at the Gateway Hotel, 2100 Green Hills Drive, included Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who delivered the keynote speech, as well as gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle with his running mate Bob Vander Plaats, Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, and candidate for secretary of agriculture, Bill Northey.

Frist, who said he is considering a run at the presidency in 2008, centered his remarks on the contrasts he sees between Republicans and Democrats and the importance of the upcoming midterm elections.

“This election is going to be among the most consequential in recent memory,” he said.

Frist, who is not running for re-election for his seat in the Senate this year, also praised last year’s

confirmations of Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, as well as called for the renewal of tax cuts introduced by President Bush.

Nussle outlined his stance on higher education in Iowa, calling for more stable funding for the Regents institutions and the creation of a “Learn and Earn” program that would allow the state to pay for student loans if students stay in Iowa for seven years after graduation.

“The Regents need much more predictable investment,” he said.

Northey said he hopes to expand the production of ethanol and biodiesel in Iowa to boost the state’s economy.

“We live in an exciting time,” he said.

“But we certainly have a lot of work to do.”

ISU College Republicans President Donald McDowell said the speakers at the dinner delivered a positive message about their vision.

“Those were tremendous speeches,” McDowell said. “You can’t leave this room without feeling motivated and excited for the future of the state and the country.”

He said around 150 guests attended the event, almost double the attendance of the last ISU College Republicans dinner two years ago.