Paul Pate
Paul Pate speaks at the Iowa GOP Victory HQ in Urbandale, IA.

(Cedar Rapids, IA)  Today, former Iowa Secretary of State and Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Paul D. Pate, has taken the lead in the race to become Iowa’s next Secretary of State.

Public Policy Polling, a left-leaning research firm released their latest poll showing Paul Pate taking the lead in the race for Iowa Secretary of State, 35-34% over Brad Anderson.  Among registered Independents the margin is even greater with 35-24% in favor of Pate.  Additionally, 64% of Independents responded that they disapprove of President Barack Obama’s job performance.  The Democrat candidate running for Secretary of State was President Obama’s 2012 Iowa campaign director.

“This poll is further confirmation that Iowans want, expect and deserve a proven public servant that will represent everyone in the state and not a career partisan political operative as their chief commissioner of elections.  I have previously served as Iowa Secretary of State and served the people of Iowa in a non partisan manner while encouraging voter participation and protecting the integrity of the election process.

PPP surveyed 915 likely voters from August 22-24th. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.2%. 80% of interviews for the poll were conducted over the phone with 20% interviewed over the internet to reach respondents who don’t have landline telephones. For complete results of the poll go here.

A nationally recognized small business leader by the Small Business Administration, Pate is the owner of a paving construction firm in Marion and recently served as Mayor of Cedar Rapids from 2002 -2006.  While Mayor, Pate was elected President of the non-partisan Iowa League of Cities representing over 870 municipalities.  Previously, he served as Iowa Secretary of State from 1995-1999 and represented NE Cedar Rapids, Marion and parts of Linn, Buchanan and Delaware Counties in the Iowa Senate from 1989-1995.

Pate is a lifelong Iowa resident.  He was born in Ottumwa, and grew up in Linn County.

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