Terry Branstad and Robert Ray say State Rep. Rod Roberts, R-Carroll, deserves to be in the discussion of potential Republican candidates for governor in 2010.
Ray and Branstad, Iowa's last two Republican governors, served for a combined 30 years from, 1969 to 1999. They see Roberts, an evangelical Christian who can reach out to moderates in the party and even some Democrats and independents, as the sort of bridge-building politician who could be a strong contender against Democratic Gov. Chet Culver.
"Certainly he'd be one that I want to see considered," Branstad told the Daily Times Herald. "He has the ability and the personality to do it."
Roberts, 50, is seeking his fifth term in the Iowa Legislature representing all of Carroll County and swaths of Sac and Crawford counties. This race marks the fourth one in a row in which he's run opposed.
At a recent fund-raiser in Carroll, Roberts pulled about 200 people from around the Carroll region. He has earned the support of more moderate, fiscally minded Republicans as well as social conservatives.
"I think he's got the qualifications," Ray told the Daily Times Herald. "He's a people person. I think he's smart and he's got some experience so watch him."
Roberts, executive director of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in Iowa, is pro-life on abortion and opposed to the death penalty. He's been a strong advocate for private schools in the Legislature.
With those conservative credentials Roberts looks to find common ground and is not known to throw rhetorical grenades at political opponents.
The calculation on Roberts is that he could be that rare candidate who would appeal to Robert Ray moderates and supporters of conservative U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron.
"I think so," Branstad said. "He has a tremendous ability to bring people together. He gets broad-based support, not just Republicans but Democrats and independents here. He's a very kind and considerate person. He's a very hard worker. I think he represents his constituents very sincerely and very well. And I think he'd represent the party and the state very well."
State Sen. Steve Kettering, R-Lake View, agrees.
"Rod Roberts would be an excellent candidate," Ketteting said. "He does indeed bring both aspects of the Republican Party together - the fiscally conservative folks and the socially conservative folks who take a lead in each of these positions."
Kettering said he has not had conversations with Roberts about a potential gubernatorial bid. For his part, Roberts says he's focused on the 2008 election. In addition to his own race, Roberts, an early and consistent supporter of GOP presidential candidate John McCain even in the days when the Arizonan was being written off as a has-been contender, wants to work to see the top of the ticket do well in western Iowa.
In Carroll, a county with rich veins of Catholicism and Democratic politics, Roberts, a Republican Protestant, quickly earned the respect of various factions in the region to the point where he now routinely runs unopposed - something that would have been unthinkable here for a Republican a generation ago.
He would have a strong geographic base from which to launch a run for Terrace Hill.
Roberts doesn't present himself as partisan as other conservatives he may face should he run, Kettering notes.
"He does have a different style, and it is less confrontational and more inclusive," Kettering said. "He would have an opportunity there."
Kettering expects at least 10 candidates to be in legitimate discussion as GOP candidates for 2010. Both of Iowa's Republican congressmen, Steve King and Tom Latham, are mentioned, as are a number of state legislators like Roberts.
