Governor Tim Pawlenty announced 10 Iowa legislative endorsements today. They are:
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Rep. Erik Helland is a resident of Johnston. He was a BSA Officer at West Bank until he became the State Director for Gov. Pawlenty’s campaign. Helland was first elected in 2008. He is the Majority Whip in the Iowa House.
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Sen. Randy Feenstra has served in the Iowa Senate since 2009. He was a sales manager for the Foreign Candy Company before serving as a City Administrator of Hull, Iowa for seven years. In 2006, he was elected Sioux County Treasurer.
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Rep. Linda Miller was first elected in 2006 and is the Human Resources Committee Chair. She is a Registered Nurse.
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Rep. Steve Lukan is from Dubuque, Iowa. He is an Assistant Leader and helped his father run Lukan Service until August of 2008. Since then, he has joined English Insurance in Dyersville as an Account Executive specializing in commercial insurance. Steve was first elected in 2006.
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Rep. Chris Hagenow was first elected to the Iowa House in 2008, and re-elected to a second term in 2010. Chris is the Chairman of the House Committee on Government Oversight. Chris is a partner at Whitaker Hagenow GBMG.
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Rep. Matt Windschitl was first elected in 2006 at the age of 22, becoming the youngest legislator serving in the General Assembly. He was elected to serve as an Assistant Minority Leader in November 2008.
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Sen. Rob Bacon won election against an incumbent in 2010. He has managed and owned funeral homes since 1983.
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Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck works as a Youth Field Specialist in the Iowa State University Scott County Extension office where he develops youth programming and oversees programs such as 4-H. In addition, Hamerlinck is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Augustana and Black Hawk College. He was first elected in 2008.
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Rep. Chip Baltimore is from Boone, Iowa and was elected in 2010. Baltimore works for Boone Bank & Trust Co. as in-house counsel, vice-president and trust officer.
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Rep. Joel Fry and his wife, Heather, have four children. They live in rural Osceola where they own two small businesses. He was elected in 2010.
So what? Saying that isn’t a statement about the legislators. It isn’t even a statement about Governor Pawlenty – I’d say the same about any endorsement of any candidate. Endorsements just don’t mean much, if anything – especially this cycle, especially coming from politicians. If you’re choosing your candidate based on the endorsement race then you’re not doing the hard work of vetting candidates. Even if I make an endorsement, don’t just take my word for it (and I’m pretty confident most of you won’t). Get to know the candidates.