Place Holder for Secretary of State
It isn’t bad enough that ONLY TWO people want to be top election supervisor in Iowa. One of them isn’t even serious!
Republican Chuck Allison is running–or standing–for the job. He is a Des Moines podiatrist and holds a masters degree in history (yeah!) from UNI. He has a website. But that is about all he has.
Allison does not claim any experience in running elections. He does not seek any support from readers of his website. He does not list a way to contact him, and he has posted no news of his campaign for 75 days. He doesn’t mention support for voter verified paper ballots, either, so maybe none of this matters. If he doesn’t see the need for them, he might as well stay home anyway.
Allison’s lackluster campaign nonetheless “doesn’t expect any competition in seeking the Republican nomination.” Allison is a member of the Polk County Republican Central Committee, so he should have his ear to the ground regarding potential rivals. I can’t help but conclude the Republicans have decided to concede this race. Allison’s main job is to fill a hole in the ballot for his team while the real efforts go to the Governor’s race.
Any Republican’s out there who actually care about election administration in Iowa?
January 17th, 2006 at 9:05 am
Vander Plaats for Secretary of State? From this week’s Des Moines Cityview…
“Well, two things are known about Vander Plaats. First, legislators and party leaders don’t think he’s paid the dues to even contemplate a run for governor, let alone do it twice. And second, his ego doesn’t let him “hit singles,” our source said, so he essentially ignores the first point. “The guy is a first pitch, swing-for-the-fence guy. And he’s ambitious. But is he the answer, or is he just the guy who keeps running for an office he’ll never realize?” Our source told us it appears to be the latter. However, there have begun some party rumblings that may appease both sides: have Vander Plaats run for Secretary of State. “He has name recognition and it could be the step he needs to take if he really wants to be governor someday. He won’t beat Nussle, and all we (Republicans) have is the foot guy (Des Moines podiatrist Chuck Allison) who can’t beat Mike Mauro for Secretary of State. Vander Plaats could. And this could be a win-win.” Whether Vander Plaats is even entertaining this option is up in the air. But, we’re told, if the money hasn’t come pouring in come late January, top party folks are going to put the heat on Vander Plaats to “do what’s best for the party,” which means not forcing Nussle to blow a bundle on a primary instead of what is shaping up to be a formidable battle with Culver.”
http://www.dmcityview.com/skinny.shtml