Gov. Culver (D-Ia) announces re-election bid

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100517/NEWS01/705189963/0#culver-announces-re-election-bid

Published Monday May 17, 2010

By MIKE GLOVER
AP Political Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Gov. Chet Culver formally started his campaign for a second term Monday, conceding he faces a tough fight in the November general election but vowing to offer voters “a stark contrast” with Republicans.

Culver pointed to his accomplishments in his first term, from raising the minimum wage to expanding early childhood education, and said they would stand apart from Republicans' focus on cutting taxes.

“They advocate corporate income and property tax cuts as the solution to every problem,” Culver told about 200 people at Hoover High School in Des Moines, where he taught before seeking public office. “They continue to preach the failed doctrine of trickle-down economics.”

In an interview with The Associated Press after his announcement, Culver acknowledged polls have shown him trailing at least one of his potential Republican opponents, former Gov. Terry Branstad. But Culver said that will change as voters more closely examine his record and plans for Iowa's future.

“You can see and feel the progress on the ground across the state,” Culver said in the interview on his campaign bus. “That's the very simple choice that I make. The argument is do you want to go forward or go back, and a majority of Iowans are going to want to go forward.”

Culver's poll numbers dropped as Iowa's economy slowed, the state lost revenue and the governor had to cut the budget and lay off state employees. Improvements in the state economy should help his campaign, Culver said, adding that Iowa was in a better position than most states.

FULL story at link.