Litigation

Branstad Wins GOP Nod for IA Governor Race

By Peter Hardin

Former four-term Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad won the Republican nomination to make a comeback try and seek another term, as he defeated rivals including a candidate who focused on a state Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage.

Branstad (photo at left) will run as the GOP nominee in the general election against Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, according to a Des Moines Register article. Branstad defeated GOP rivals Bob Vander Plaats and Rod Roberts.

Vander Plaats pledged that if elected, he would issue an executive order blocking the high court?s decision. He vowed to appoint only state Supreme Court justices who oppose gay marriage, and regarding retention votes this year on three justices who will be up for reelection, he advocated votes against keeping them on the bench.

Branstad said about Vander Plaats, ?I think he?s naive when it comes to the whole appointment process.  The governor cannot ensure how a member of the Supreme Court reads the constitution.? He also said voters Branstad  should decide about retaining the three justices ?based on their own convictions.? (For more details, see Gavel Grab.)

Full post as published by The Gavel on June 09, 2010 (boomark / email).