The fertilizer plant under construction in Lee County was a major point of contention during Saturday evening’s debate between the two major party candidates for Iowa governor.
The incumbent, Republican Terry Branstad, defended his administration’s decision to award 110-million dollars worth of state incentives to the Egyptian company that’s building the plant south of Wever. Democratic challenger Jack Hatch says the state incentives are worth 700-thousand dollars per job and that’s a “bad deal” for taxpayers.
The debate was held in Burlington — about 14 miles away from the construction site in neighboring Lee County. Branstad called it a “great deal” and, over time, Branstad said local governments will reap millions. Hatch says rather than giving 110-million dollars worth of incentives to one company, there would have been greater economic impact if that money had been spread out among businesses statewide.
The two candidates quarreled over Branstad’s job creation claims and each questioned the other’s commitment to raising the minimum wage. The conduct of the campaign was a simmering issue during Saturday’s debate as well, with Hatch complaining about Branstad’s ads that criticize Hatch’s property development business.
Branstad served four years as Iowa’s lieutenant governor, then 16 years as Iowa’s governor and left office in January of 1999. In 2010 he won a fifth term as governor. The rough political culture of Illinois was cited during Saturday’s hour-long debate. Hatch listed a number of controversies that have popped up over the last four years, including Branstad’s order to close the Iowa Juvenile Home and the disclosure that some state employees were being paid extra to stay quiet about their exit settlements with the state.
Saturday’s debate was sponsored by the Greater Burlington Partnership…the Hawk Eye…a local newspaper…and KWQC television. The third and final debate between Branstad and Hatch will be held in Sioux City on October 20.
Some other debates coming up will cover the 2nd Congressional District race between incumbent Democrat Dave Loebsack and Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks…on Saturday, October 11th, in Davenport…and that same day, the U-S Senate debate will take place in Davenport between Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley and Republican State Senator Joni Ernst.
