2006 Governors Races

Iowa CBS NEWS PROJECTS CHET CULVERWINNER Democrat Chet Culver, Dem. vs. Jim Nussle, Rep. (Open seat) Incumbent Democrat Tom Vilsack did not run for reelection. He is popular and there is talk that he may run for president in 2008. This was a race to watch. Nussle is chair of the U.S. House Budget Committee. The Des Moines Register reports, "Culver stressed building on Vilsack’s legacy, promoting renewable energy and restoring Iowa’s place as a national leader in education." On the issues, Culver made the centerpiece of his campaign a plan to spend $100 million “on a program to develop the renewable fuel industry in Iowa … . He has also proposed raising the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour, as well as programs to make college more affordable and promote small businesses." Culver wants to "invest a portion of Iowa’s public employee pension fund in venture capital aimed at Iowa companies." In a radio ad, Nussle rejected the plan as a "risky investment scheme." Culver criticized Nussle for supporting President Bush’s proposal to allow younger workers to invest a portion of their payroll taxes in private accounts, saying it "would put the solvency of the federal Social Security program at risk."