In addition to the three who have announced their intention to run for the Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee during the upcoming District Conventions on April 26th there are two more have contacted Caffeinated Thoughts.
Gary Nystrom, current co-chair of the Boone County Republican Party, also intends to run in the 4th District. Below is the letter he sent out last week:
I am announcing my candidacy for the GOP State Central Committee. If elected I would be representing Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. As most of us know, our Republican Party is facing some serious issues. First and upmost we need to become united and stand for what has and will make our Republican Party strong and respected. I truly believe this starts at the grass roots level and is then spreads to the State level and beyond. I know many of our County Central Committees have already started this positive motion.
I was born and raised in Boone and still reside there. My wife of 37 years, Kathy has and continues to be my best support and guiding light. We have two grown married children, Amy and Jason, and five grandchildren. I was raised on strong family values and have practiced that in my family as does my daughter and son. With everything going on in our government today, I believe that it is critical to build a foundation in our party that will not only look at the immediate needs, but be aware of the long term impact on our children and grandchildren.
This year marks my 40th year of being in a private business. Those years have taught me to be able to make prudent decisions. Sometimes tough decisions must be made to move an organization forward. I am starting my 2nd four year term as a City Councilman for the city of Boone. This has taught me to be able to interact with other decision makers, weigh out options and come up with the best solution. I know it is much easier to sit on the sidelines and offer ideas, but I feel it is best to get involved.
I am currently the Co-Chair of the Boone County Central Committee. I have been active on this committee for a number of years. I have served as a Delegate to the District and State Convention representing Boone County and have been elected this year also as a Delegate. I have either chaired or worked on many Campaigns in our county for Candidates from the Governor level to local elected officials. I understand the importance of having solid interactive people who want to move an organization in a positive manor. I believe our State Republican Central Committee needs this and I feel I can possibly assist with this process. We have key positions coming up in our elections and a strong Iowa Republican Party must have a strong State Central Committee who will listen, support, and lead us to the level we need to be at.
I ask for your support in my candidacy for the State Central Committee.
Bill Gustoff, homeschooling dad and activist, sent a press release yesterday stating his intention to run for the State Central Committee representing the 3rd District:
Des Moines attorney and long-time Republican Party activist Bill Gustoff announced today his intentions to seek election to Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee.
The State Central Committee is the governing board of the party. Each congressional district will elect four members to the board at their district conventions on April 26, 2014. Gustoff is running for a Third District seat.
“I have lived in various parts of Iowa, including Council Bluffs and Des Moines in the Third District,” Gustoff said. “I have friends in many counties in the district, and spread among all circles of the party. The current Third District is nearly identical my area a young field representative on staff with Congressman Tom Tauke in 1990, when he challenged Tom Harkin for the U.S. Senate.”
Iowa’s Third Congressional District, geographically the smallest of Iowa’s four districts, is comprised 16 counties in southwest Iowa. The district stretches from Council Bluffs to Des Moines and to the Missouri border.
“I have extensive experience promoting and representing various issues and causes shared by the party faithful,” Gustoff said. “I look forward to being part of a broad-based party leadership working with all activists to expand the party, increase its funding and ensure we are on track to elect Republicans in 2014. Our party must unify, move forward and be laser-focused on winning elections.”
As a conservative attorney, Gustoff has represented many organizations active in Republican politics. This includes some, he says, that have drawn the attention of the IRS in the ongoing scandal and even earned him a personal business and individual audit. His firm stands on core Republican issues such as school choice and the Second Amendment have shown him to be one who sticks to his conservative principles, but his polite nature has allowed him to work well with others in the party who do not always share his views in their entirety.
His balance of principled stands and congenial manner was among the reasons Governor Terry Branstad appointed him to the State Judicial Nominating Commission in the spring of 2011. The commission interviews applicants to the Iowa Supreme and Appeals Courts and forwards the finalists to the Governor for final selection. The Iowa Senate, controlled by Democrats, refused to approve Gustoff’s nomination.
Gustoff is a partner in the law firm of Whitaker Hagenow & Gustoff, LLP. Matt Whitaker is a candidate for U.S. Senate and Chris Hagenow is the Republican Whip in the Iowa House of Representatives. Republican State Senator Jack Whitver is also part of the firm. Gustoff has been married for 22 years and has four children, all of whom are homeschooled.
Photo credit: Sarah Brooks