Posted on 01/07/2014 2:11:25 AM PST by iowamark
Governor Branstad announced on Monday morning that his campaign has raised a whopping $3.4 million dollars in 2013. The impressive fundraising haul means that the Governor has over $4.1 million dollars in the bank as the election year begins.
Iowa Democrats have had a difficult time finding a formidable challenger to challenge Branstad in 2014. The lone Democrat in the race, State Senator Jack Hatch, announced a couple weeks ago that he gave his campaign $200,000. Hatch made the move to scare away any likely primary opponents following State Representative Tyler Olson’s exit from the race due to him pending divorce.
Hatch’s $200,000 investment in his own campaign might have gotten him a headline in the Des Moines Register, but it was never going to keep a serious Democrat out of the race. Branstad’s impressive fundraising haul on the other hand will likely freeze the Democrat field or at least prevent a serious challenger from emerging to challenge Hatch.
The inability for Iowa Democrats to field a credible opponent to run against Branstad could be problematic for other Democrats on the ballot in Iowa in 2014. Even though Branstad doesn’t have a top-notch opponent, he has put together a tremendous campaign teams and built an organization that will help Republicans up and down the ballot. With two open congressional seats and an open U.S. Senate seat building a strong statewide ballot is important. Branstad’s strong polling numbers and wide appeal with voters across the state could help Republicans win some of the biggest political races in recent history.
Below is the press release that the Branstad campaign sent out this morning about their fundraising numbers.
BRANSTAD-REYNOLDS ANNOUNCE OVER $4.1 MILLION CASH ON HAND
Current cash-on-hand sets Iowa record for largest balance for gubernatorial candidate at the end of a reporting period(URBANDALE, Iowa) – Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced they will report over $4.1 million cash-on-hand when their campaign disclosure report is filed prior to the January 21, 2014, deadline. Additionally, the Branstad-Reynolds campaign announced it had raised over $3.4 million in 2013.
The year-end balance represents the largest ever by a candidate for governor in Iowa at the end of a reporting period. The previous record for cash-on-hand at the end of a reporting period was held by former Gov. Chet Culver who had $3,225,600 on May 19, 2010.
“We set an ambitious goal of having $4 million cash-on-hand at the end of 2013, and we’re pleased to have exceeded it by over $100,000,” said Branstad. “Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I are humbled by Iowans’ continued confidence in our work to bring jobs and economic development to Iowa, restore our leadership position in education, increase family incomes, reduce taxes and cut the size and cost of government.”
“Though we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made to bring 137,000 jobs to Iowa and reduce Iowa’s unemployment rate to the fifth lowest in the nation at 4.4 percent, Governor Branstad and I know there is more work to do and we remain focused on building Iowa for the future through stability and predictability in governing,” said Reynolds.
The Governor Branstad Committee is starting 2014 with $1.5 million more than former Gov. Chet Culver had at this same time in 2010
“A record-setting fundraising period demonstrates the broad support Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds enjoy across Iowa, but our campaign’s focus is – and will continue to be – building the strongest grassroots campaign in the history of Iowa Republican politics,” said Branstad-Reynolds campaign manager Jake Ketzner. “With a superior organization in place, the Branstad-Reynolds campaign will work to elect Republicans up and down the ticket in November.”
The campaign will report a debt-free campaign with 94% of donations from Iowa.
The full report will be available to the public upon filing.
Most of the Iowa Democrat funding comes from the East and West Coasts.
I doubt if Branstead spends even a quarter of that amount on the election, and raises at least the same amount in 2014. He’s aiming for the senate race in 2016 and replacing Grassley. I’m betting on Grassley retiring early...maybe around January of 2016, and Branstead enters himself as the temp guy, running later in the year for the position.
I’d be surprised if Terry ran for Grassley’s senate seat. He sure doesn’t need $4 million for another term at Terrace Hill so you can make the argument there’s something else cooking.
I don’t think that Grassley has any plans to retire. Branstad has turned down many chances to run for Congress. This year was another opportunity as Tom Harkin is retiring. Branstad could have won easily but he has no desire to go to Washington.
Unless the plan is to be the VP candidate for the Republicans in 2016, I don’t see what else is on the horizon. Maybe he wants to play king-maker and help some guy pick up big votes in the midwest in 2016.
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