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Any GOP gubernatorial candidate who does not pledge to support the party’s eventual nominee will not get support from the Linn County Republican Central Committee, according to a resolution passed Tuesday night.
The resolution, introduced by Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson, says the “Linn County Republican Party will not aid or provide a forum for candidates or others who will oppose a duly elected Republican Party of Iowa nominee for high political office.”
Last week, the politically influential Christian group Iowa Family Policy Center formally endorsed Sioux City Republican Bob Vander Plaats. But it also vowed to sit out the election if Vander Plaats were to lose to his chief rival, former Gov. Terry Branstad. Many Republicans, Oleson among them, were outraged by the group’s actions, saying they are causing a rift in the party that could result in a second term for Democratic Gov. Chet Culver.
Many also speculated that the endorsement may have set the stage for a third-party gubernatorial bid for Vander Plaats should Branstad win the GOP nomination. And for his part, Vander Plaats has never publicly stated that an independent run is out of the question, and his campaign manager refused to rule it out as well.
Responding to the growing criticism of his group for its pledge to sit out the fall campaign, Iowa Family Policy Center Communications Director Bryan English said people shouldn’t shoot the messenger, but rather “listen to the message.”
“If the political class is really concerned about avoiding electoral failure, there is still time to adjust,” he said. “If instead, the establishment refuses to listen to Iowa voters and insists on forcing a candidate like Terry Branstad on the people of Iowa, they will have no one to blame for four more years of Chet Culver but themselves.”
Oleson, who has publicly endorsed Branstad, introduced the “loyalty resolution” at his county’s central committee meeting Tuesday night.
Below is the text of the resolution:
Linn County Central CommitteeWHEREAS, the Republican Party of Linn County is governed by the Constitution of the Republican Party of Linn County, last amended in March 2006, andWHEREAS, Section IV. of the Linn County Republican Party Constitution states a member of the local party “may be removed by the County Central Committee for inattention to duty, incompetence, or active support of an opponent of a Republican nominee”, and
WHEREAS, the Linn County Republican Party hosts events and invites candidates to speak at events supported by the financial contributions of local Republicans and party members, and
WHEREAS, the Linn County Republican Party works to support duly nominated candidates for high political office throughout the state of Iowa that include, local, state and federal offices, and
WHEREAS, the Linn County Republican Party cannot support efforts or candidates who oppose or indicate they will oppose a duly nominated candidate for high political office, and
WHEREAS, the Linn County Republican Party will not aid or provide a forum for candidates or others who will oppose a duly elected Republican Party of Iowa nominee for high political office.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED by the Republican Central Committee, Linn County, Iowa, this date met in lawful session, that the Central Committee encourages contested primary candidates for Governor to pledge support for the primary process and of the eventual duly elected Republican nominee so that our primary objectives of defeating Chet Culver and electing a Republican as Governor of Iowa is met. This pledge shall be asked of each candidate for Governor upon the first public event attended by said candidate or at the Iowa Caucuses held at Washington High School, whichever shall occur first.
Dated at Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, this ___ day of ______, 2010.
LINN COUNTY, IOWA REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE
_________________________________________________
CHAIRPERSON
UPDATED AT 11:30 a.m.: While he did not address the idea of an independent campaign for governor, Vander Plaats’ Campaign Canager Eric Woolson released the following statement to The Iowa Independent in response to the loyalty resolution:
Will the same people who proposed the loyalty oath agree today to support Bob Vander Plaats when he is nominated on June 8?
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