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Iowa gubernatorial candidates on the attack

DES MOINES, Iowa (KTIV) - The current financial crises hitting the state, may help Republicans regain power in Iowa.  It's been 12 years since they gave up control to Democrats.

With Culver announcing his intention to run for reelection, half a dozen Republicans have expressed interest in challenging the Governor.

Voters got a better look at those six men Saturday night, at the Republican Party's big fall fundraiser.

Saturday night, former Iowa governor Terry Branstad joined his 5 Republican rivals for the first time since he started exploring a run for governor, last month.

Saturday night's event was dubbed "Leadership In Iowa", It's what Republicans want, and what former governor Terry Branstad had for 16-years.

"I'm here because I care about Iowa and can do better."

Branstad says he has done better... leaving office, in 1998, with a budget surplus, and a growing economy,” said Branstad.

"I can't stand to see what's happening to our state," he told the crowd.

Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats has run for governor three times since Branstad left office. He says that experience, and his grass-roots network in all 99 counties, will help him win.

"Is this gonna be about we who have the power and want to anoint a candidate, or we the people who want to select our candidates? And, I put my faith in we the people," remarked VanderPlaats.

"It's not about Terry Branstad. It's about each candidate standing up and saying why my vision is the right one for Iowa," said  Cedar Rapids businessman Christian Fong'.

His vision is ambitious, with plans to secure growth in all 99 counties, reverse "brain drain"-- the trend of kids leaving Iowa after graduation, and phase out Iowa's income tax, all by the year 2020.

The bottom line for all six men is to beat Chet Culver in 2010.

"These republicans will take a look at candidates and determine in a well-rounded fashion... determine which of these individuals can engage Chet Culver and defeat him at the polls," said State representative Rod Roberts.

He says his campaigns, in western Iowa, draw support from independents, even some democrats. Both he, and state senator Jerry Behn of Boone, have watched Governor Culver work, in Des Moines.

"He was told over, and over, and over that revenue was not gonna meet expectation. And, he spent at record levels,” Behn explained.

He promises fiscal discipline, and social conservatism. Chris Rants promises solutions, not slogans.

"I think leadership is about talking honestly with Iowans. Not just about problems, but solutions that it'll take to fix the situation,” said Rants.

There's still no word from Branstad when, or if, he'll declare himself a candidate. But, there's one tip. On Friday, state senator Paul McKinley dropped out of the race.. a move he said he make when Branstad got in.