Who Wants to be a Governor?
by Thomas Beaumont, Des Moines Register

Nussle says Republicans have failed to galvanize the faithful

NOV 28, 2004

Republicans lost the last two [gubernatorial] elections because the nominees' resumes failed to inspire Iowans, [Bob] Vander Plaats of Sioux City, said.

Vander Plaats, who ran two years ago, has said he will run in 2006. And Des Moines lawyer Doug Gross has traveled the state to gauge a reprise of his role as the 2002 nominee.

Vander Plaats is alone as a declared candidate. Gross and Nussle have courted support without formal announcements. Both expect to decide by mid-2005. Iowa Senate President Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny and state Rep. Danny Carroll of Grinnell will also consider runs.

Whoever emerges won't have to take on Vilsack, the first Democrat re-elected governor since 1966. "I know I'm not running for a third term," he said earlier this month.


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