January 25, 2006
THe Futures Market: Iowa
Some GOP sources suggest that '06 may be tough for the party. Dems are excited by the prospects afforded to them by the nat'l landscape and seem poised to re-take the state legislature, where they currently face a tied Sen and a 2-seat deficit in the House. Re-taking the legislature would create a new crop of rising stars for Dems, but each party has its share of 20-somethings who we may be following in 5, 10 or 15 years. [REID WILSON]
State Rep. Bill Dix (R): "He's running a great campaign" for Rep. Jim Nussle's (R) IA 01 seat. And while he faces a tough primary, "he's really been impressing some folks."
'02 LG nominee Debbie Durham (R): Most GOPers "don't see her doing anything politically." She took herself out of consideration for an encore LG bid when her name was floated early in '05.
State Rep. Kent Kramer (R): Resigned from the State House to spend time with family, but "he will be back in politics at some point."
State Sen. Jeff Lamberti (R): Running against Rep. Leonard Boswell (D) in '06. Unlike previous GOP nominees, he is expected to run a competitive race. Thanks to his family's successful business, he may be able to at least partly self-fund. "He's not the flashiest guy around, ... but I think you could put him in the star category."
State Sen. Chuck Larson (R): An Iraqi war vet, "he's been a young star for so long that it's hard to realize he's still young." Leaving the Sen. in '06 to build a family and private law practice. However, some expect to see him 5 or 10 years down the road.
State Rep. Steve Lukan (R): "That guy is something else." Having defeated a Dem incumbent at age 23, some say of Lukan, now 27, "I would be really disappointed if we don't see him run for statewide office or Congress."
State House Speaker Chris Rants (R): "Doesn't have the people skills" of some of the other rising stars. Does a good job keeping his caucus together, but he cuts deals with Gov. Tom Vilsack and Dem minorities to get things done in the Legislature.
State Sen. Bryan Sievers (R): After being accused of switching cows at a county fair in order to win a 4H contest, Sievers lost a re-election bid in '04. The story spent weeks on the front page and eventually went to trial, and while neither side was vindicated, Sievers had to give up the prize money and the trophy. Prior to the scandal, he had considered a bid for IA 01, but decided against it after his loss.
State Rep. Swati Dandekar (D): Just 31 years old, Dandekar is one of the only Indian-American elected officials in the country. She raises a lot of money for the Dem caucus and is heavily involved in the DLC, now run by IA Gov. Tom Vilsack (D).
State Sen. Bill Dotzler (D): "One of the Senate leaders," brings labor to the table. "Just a terrific guy." Had considered a bid for IA 01, but was convinced to remain in the Sen, where the parties hold an equal number of seats.
State Rep. Helen Miller (D): "She's going to be making a name for herself in the legislature."
State Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D): Son of Des Moines Chief of Police William McCarthy, Kevin is "making some waves" in the State House. He's "definately someone who's going places."
State Sen. Joe Seng (D): Not seen as a rising star. "He's kind of an odd duck," but he's well-liked in his Davenport-based district.
State Sen. Steve Warnstadt (D): Elected in a district that favors GOPers, "Steve is fantastic" and "a good common sense legislator." "He's arrived ... He's a bright light."
And the ones to watch in the future:
House Speaker Pro Tem Danny Carroll (R): Called by many a religious conservative, Carroll nonetheless Worked with Vilsack to get Medicare reform passed and has worked with Dems on issues of teacher pay, prescription drug issues and anti-gaming legislation. "Bears watching." May be a future candidate for Gov or Congress.
IA Exec. Dir. Cullen Sheehan: After working for Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), "I don't see anybody that's going to work harder" for the party. "Whether he's in" IA, MN, DC or UT, "he's going to be big."
House Maj Whip Libby Jacobs (R): Has been discussed as Nussle's possible LG candidate and as a possible candidate for Congress. "She's always been considered a real possibility for higher office." "I wouldn't doubt that she's on a list."
State Rep. Jim Kurtenbach (R): Assoc. Prof. at Drake Univ, he could run for higher office some day. "He could have a future, absolutely."
Ex-Vilsack Policy Dir. Dusky Terry (D): One of Vilsack's first and longest-serving aides, Terry, now the favorite to win the Dem nod for Sec of Agriculture, is just 30 years old. "You're going to be hearing from him, I guarantee you." "He is the future of the Democratic party in IA."
State Sen. Jeff Danielson (D): First elected last year, Danielson is a firefighter and "one of those guys who could definately go places." "He's one to watch."
State Rep. Geri Huser (D): She "gets a lot of flack" for bucking leadership in the House, but her independence serves her well in her district. "Very popular, very smart." "She'll definately be on the list of people who run" to succeed Rep. Leonard Boswell (D) in IA 03. A very skilled fundraiser, probably able to raise more than any other State Rep., which will make her a formative candidate in the future.
State Sen. Matt McCoy (D): "He's been in the thick of a lot of development" in Des Moines. He may end up running for Congress in the future.
Posted at 01:29 PM
Comments
I agree. Cullen Sheehan is a hard worker for the party. I know he has been a tremendous help to me in Linn County (Cedar Rapids). I just hope he stays in Iowa!
Kathy Potts | 01.25.06 03:02 PM
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Jessica | 01.28.08 11:14 AM
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