I met with independent Gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Narcisse with whom I’ve interviewed twice before. The Republican primary was contentious and two weeks out there is still a rift. Is he someone whom former Bob Vander Plaats supporters, who said they’ll sit out of this race, can support? What if Vander Plaats decides to run as an independent?
Looking at the two party candidates records and positions you would have to admit that he is the small government conservative in the race. For instance he said, “How many jobs am I going to create?… None. Governors don’t create jobs… We need to ask the question of Branstad how exactly will he create 200,000 jobs? … How can he promise increased wages?” He also challenged Branstad’s tax cuts saying that the tax cuts passed by the Legislature were larger than what was actually signed into law.
So we had a discussion about primarily his fiscal and educational policies in contrast to former Governor Terry Branstad and Governor Chet Culver. He is very specific in his policy ideas, but not quite as specific regarding the mechanics of his campaign or who exactly has come out publically in support of his campaign.
Narcisse says he believes he could pull 30-40% of the vote, that he has strong support in the African-American community, in Des Moines, as well as in the 1st Congressional District. He says he has a strong base because of the newspaper he publishes, The Bystander. He also believes because of his background in the Democratic Party he can attract Democrats who do not want to vote for Culver. He asks but what will the Republican of conscience decide in this race. Will they vote in favor of someone, Narcisse says, is in practice has the antithesis of the party platform or will they vote for the person that best fits with their principles?
Could Jonathan Narcisse be a wildcard in this race?