Gross says he won't run for Iowa governor

The Quad-City Times ^ | February 28, 2005 | Charlotte Eby

[newgeezer]

Copyright © 2005 The Quad-City Times | www.QCTimes.com


Gross says he won't run for Iowa governor

By Charlotte Eby

  DES MOINES -- Des Moines lawyer Doug Gross announced Monday that he willnot seek the Republican nomination for governor next year, ending speculation he would make another run for the job after an unsuccessful attempt in 2002.

  Gross made the announcement in a letter to former Gov. Terry Branstad, saying an “all-consuming” campaign would take too much time away from his family. He and his wife are the parents of five children.

  “I have come to the conclusion that I simply do not have the singular commitment required to undertake this race,” Gross wrote. “My commitment to Iowans, the issues and my interest in making a difference will never wane.”            

  Gross was the Republican nominee in 2002, winning a three-way primary ahead of former Rep. Steve Sukup of Dougherty and Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats.

  Gross went on to lose the general election to Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack, who voters elected to a second term in 2002.

   Gross’ announcement clears the way for two other Republicans, U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle of Manchester and Vander Plaats, who is hoping to do better next year than his third-place showing in the 2002 primary.

  Nussle has not made a formal announcement that he will enter the race, but he is widely expected to run.

  Vilsack has said he will not seek a third term in 2006, although some supporters are urging him to reconsider.

 A lawyer with the Des Moines firm of Brown Winick, Gross served as chief of staff for Branstad. He is a native of the western Iowa town of Defiance.

  Rep. Jim Kurtenbach, a Republican from Nevada, Iowa, was surprised by the announcement.

   “I am disappointed. I think Doug brought a lot of energy to the gubernatorial campaign,” he said.

  Kurtenbach has admired Gross’ work with the Committee of 82, a group focused on reviving the economy of the state’s 82 rural counties, and hopes Gross will continue to take an active role in state policy. 

  “The work he has done with the Committee of 82 provides Iowa with a blueprint for moving forward in a very progressive fashion,” Kurtenbach said.

 

Charlotte Eby can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
Copyright © 2002 The Quad-City Times

[newgeezer]

What a shame, after all that money someone spent on that sham "Iowa First Foundation" to make us think he's a great guy. Plus, I was really looking forward to having to choosing between a lefty Dem and a slimy lawyer again this time.</sarcasm>

(Copyright 2002? Someone's asleep at the QCTimes.)

[RushCrush]

Please, for the love of GOD will he stop those horrible ads now????

[newgeezer]

will he stop those horrible ads now????

No doubt. No sense in throwing good money after bad. Maybe he can pocket whatever's left of it.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I doubt he would have won the primary and he probably knows it or he would have pursued this. Those ads were DUMB.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Gross's face seems to relax into a snarl. Not exactly Bob Ray material.

[nonliberal]

Woo Hoo!!! One less contender for Vander Plaats to beat.

[Lee Heggy]

“all-consuming” campaign would take too much time away from his family."

He is, however, considering a dilatory and somewhat half-as*ed campaign for an office yet to be named.

[Coop]

What's the status of that one conservative - former Marine, IIRC - Bill Salier, that took Ganske to the wire? (And would have beaten him had the White House butted out!)

[niteowl77]

Good. That is one more toe that the Iowa GOP will not blow off this time around.

Having said that, Iowa FReepers need to be aware that two Iowa Senate RINOs are co-sponsoring a gun ban introduced by Mike Connolly, a very vicious and partisan 'rat who did a lot to help defeat Republican Gene Manternach via a very ugly and lie-filled campaign last year.

Put some pressure on, folks.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Gun ban ? What's this all about ?

[newgeezer]

Iowa FReepers need to be aware that two Iowa Senate RINOs are co-sponsoring a gun ban

If they have the Iowa news topic in their FR sidebar, they should already know. One of those RINO women was my senator prior to redrawing the districts.

Thanks.

[newgeezer]

Here.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Thanks. I wouldn't give it much of a chance but you never know. I remember Gross from his days on Ray's staff. After Dutch VerMeer retired, Gross became the guy Governor Ray sent to do the untidy work of politics (firings)...

[RushCrush]

I believe Salier is planning to run again.

[EternalVigilance]

fyi...

[EternalVigilance]

Bill Salier is one of the greatest guys around.

We need him in office.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Where is he from ?

[EternalVigilance]

He's from Nora Springs, Iowa...a small town just east of Mason City, in the north central part of the state.

He's a farmer, and a Marine. Served on the Camp David detail, which is reserved for the best of the best.

Cutting edge conservative. Christian. Charismatic.

As I said: A great guy, and an awesome candidate.

The establishment took him out in favor of doing what they have done for the last thirty years: unsuccessfully running a Congressman, in most cases a RINO, against the cleverly evil Commie, Tom Harkin.

Harkin will never go down until he is challenged by a real conservative. Unlike Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who is regularly reelected with over 70% of the vote, Harkin squeaks out his wins with barely over half the votes.

The Iowa GOP needs to wake up.

[RushCrush]

You are absolutely correct. I met Salier through a friend who worked on his campaign, Salier is a great guy.

As I've said on other threads, I'm moving away from Iowa to IL in the fall. I sure would have liked to stick around and help Harkin go the way of Daschle.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

When is Harkin up and who is likely to run for his seat from the GOP side ?