Governor Terry Branstad walked in the annual Tri-State Rodeo Parade in Ft. Madison over the weekend, then talked to reporters at the local Republican headquarters.
I asked him if he really wants to win Lee County and he chuckled and said he does, “I make no bones about it,” and reminding us that he’s never won here before.
Branstad’s opponent…State Senator Jack Hatch…says the Governor “gave away the farm,” when he brought the fertilizer plant to Wever, a charge Branstad vehemently denies. In fact, he pointed to his administration’s jobs-training programs, “Skilled Iowa,” and “Home-Base Iowa,” designed to teach civilians and returning military personnel the skills they need to fill the jobs that are available now.
Like many voters, Branstad says the jury is still out on a proposed pipeline that would cut through Lee County, bringing crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois.
Branstad and Hatch will debate economic development issues Sept. 20 at Edward St0ne Middle School in Burlington.
