Governor Branstad Revs Up Dallas County Republicans at Spring Fund-Raiser
PERRY, IA--Nearly 50 Dallas County Republicans turned out on Thursday night at the historic Hotel Patee in Perry to get a hands-on history lesson about Iowa politics from a very knowledgeable source, former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (R-IA). Governor Branstad served as the featured speaker for the county party's Spring FunRaiser, the kickoff event for 2009's three annual sessions which helps organize activists and build momentum heading into the 2010 elections.
Gov. Branstad shared his ideas on energizing the county and state Republican party from the grassroots up. He also criticized current Gov. Chet Culver (D-IA) for mismanaging the state budget and running up record deficits and debts. "Iowans are fiscally responsible and have earned a Triple-A bond rating by not over-borrowing and over-spending. Gov. Culver has put our budget at risk by overspending, using one-time monies for on-going expenses, and running up the state's credit card to unprecedented levels. It's our children and grandchildren that will have to pay off that $800 million debt which will be close to $1.5 billion when it's all said and done."
The social event in Perry also served to raise nearly $1,000 for the county party, which will be put toward electing local Republican candidates in Dallas County.
"What started out to be a social fun-raiser turned out to be a fiscal fund-raiser," remarked County GOP Executive Board Member Pete Jeffries, who serves as Finance Chair. "We're so pleased Gov. Branstand, his wife Chris, and their son Marcus were all able to join us and rev up the troops as we look forward to next year's primary and general elections."
The county party also unveiled its 2009 Sponsorship Program which entitles members to tickets, tables, and other benefits to various events through the year. Sponsorship levels include Gold Elephant at $1,500, Silver Elephant at $750, Bronze Elephant at $400, and Individual Sponsor at $200. For more information, go to www.dallascountygop.org, call Finance Chair Pete Jeffries at 515-987-1202 or email Organization Chair Rob Taylor at organization@dallascountygop.org.
The next Dallas County Republican Party event is an "Old Fashioned Family Picnic" slated for August 15th at Napa Valley in Waukee.