Race Analysis

In 2006, Chet Culver became only the second Democrat to succeed another Democrat as governor in Iowa’s history. His tenure was rocky, as he sought to govern a largely conservative state in a fairly progressive/liberal manner. He raised the minimum wage, pushed through funding for stem cell research, and raised the state’s cigarette tax. He has also been associated with the state Supreme Court’s ruling that the state’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional.

In the 2010 general election, Culver drew Terry Branstad as his opponent. Branstad was a fairly popular governor of the state from 1983 through 1999, and decided to rejoin the fray that year, winning by 10 points. Branstad is now the second-longest serving governor in United States history. This race had looked competitive earlier in the year, but Branstad seems to have pulled away and seems likely to win re-election, eclipsing George Clinton of New York (1777-1795, 1801-1804).