No objections were raised during discussions Monday over Gov. Tom Vilsack’s recent appointments to the Board of Regents, despite concerns Iowa Senate Republicans have raised during the past two weeks about the candidates.

The Senate Education Committee met Monday in Des Moines, but it only discussed the appointment of Michael Gartner, who was given unanimous approval by the committee.

The governor appointed Gartner, principal owner of the Iowa Cubs, to replace former La Porte City Regent David Neil, who resigned Jan. 21.

“We moved the appointment of Michael Garter to individual confirmation calendar,” said Sen. Michael Connolly, D-Dubuque, co-chairman of the committee.

Committee members said they only discussed Gartner’s appointment because he is the only appointment the Senate has been given formal notice of. Although press releases have been sent out by the governor’s office during the past three weeks naming the appointments to the board, senators said Vilsack has yet to inform them of who he has appointed and which positions they will fill on the board.

“Everything that we’ve heard so far has been from the media,” said Sen. Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, co-chairman of the committee. “We will not discuss any individual names until we receive official notification from the governor that he has appointed them.”

The governor’s office could not be reached for comment.

Some committee members said they hope to have a bill before the full Senate recommending Gartner’s confirmation sometime soon; however, a specific schedule has not been set.

Earlier concerns by Senate Republicans about Gartner’s appointment were no longer an issue during the meeting.

Senate Republican leader Stewart Iverson of Dows had said earlier that he was concerned about a lawsuit Gartner filed against one of the regent institutions.

Gartner filed a suit in October 1996 against Iowa State, Vice President for Business and Finance Warren Madden and the Board of Regents. The lawsuit stated Iowa State violated Gartner’s First Amendment rights as then-editor of The (Ames) Tribune because Iowa State refused to allow The Tribune to distribute anywhere on campus.

Gartner also filed a lawsuit against the Iowa State Daily for unfair competition, because it is able to distribute on campus.

The lawsuit had Republicans wondering about his support for Iowa State and the Board of Regents, as well as possible conflicts of interest.