Iowa state Rep. Olson announces 2014 bid for governor
July 11, 2013
By Greg Janetka
DES MOINES, Iowa: The 2014 race for governor heated up this week as Democratic state Rep. Tyler Olson officially threw his hat into the ring. Olson, an attorney by trade, pointed to the need for fresh ideas in the governor's office, noting incumbent Terry Branstad (R) first held the office over 30 years ago.[1]
Branstad has continued to raise money and add staff to his campaign team, but has not said if he will seek another term. Serving from 1983-1999 and currently since 2011, Branstad is the state's longest serving governor as well as the longest serving governor in U.S. History.[2] Olson, meanwhile, has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2007 and recently stepped down as the state's Democratic Party Chairman.[3]
In a statement, Branstad’s campaign spokesman, Jimmy Centers, said “Olson’s brand of partisan politics couldn’t be farther from Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds’ record of reaching across the aisle to pass laws that move Iowa forward.”[4]
Olson is the first officially declared candidate in the race. Other potential contenders for the Democratic nomination include state Senators Jeff Danielson, Mike Gronstal, Jack Hatch and Liz Mathis, former Governor of Arkansas Chet Culver, and U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley.[5][6]
See also
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Footnotes
- ↑ Omaha.com, "Olson aims to unseat Branstad in 2014 Iowa governor race," July 10, 2013
- ↑ Smart Politics, "The Top 50 Longest-Serving Governors of All Time," April 10, 2013
- ↑ KTIV, "UPDATE: The race for Iowa governor in 2014 has its first official candidate," July 9, 2013
- ↑ The Daily Nonpareil, "State Rep. Olson announces he'll run for Iowa governor in 2014," July 10, 2013
- ↑ WHOTV Des Moines, "CULVER PLANS: Former Governor Considers Future," December 2, 2012
- ↑ The Gazette, "Cedar Rapids lawmakers consider run for governor's office," December 25, 2012
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