Terry Branstad is joining perhaps the toughest race of his political career Tuesday – the race against his own record as Governor.

“I agree with Terry Branstad on one thing: he made mistakes as governor,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan, “Iowans cannot afford for him to make more, and we’ve learned some things over the last 12 years: we are better off without him and his mistakes.”

“Branstad’s failed policies resulted in a deficit of nearly $430 million, and Iowans still pay the sales tax he increased to get out of the mess he created,” Kiernan said, “It’s very tough to see how Iowans are going to embrace a Governor who ran up a deficit over one who has balanced budgets and not raised taxes.”

So far, candidate Branstad has already contradicted some of the greatest hits of Governor Brantad’s record:

• Candidate Branstad claimed that he only raised the sales tax after cutting spending as well in 1992. Governor Branstad actually raised the sales tax twice – it was the first bill he ever signed as Governor in 1983.
• Candidate Branstad takes credit for instituting normal accounting practices… in 1992. Governor Branstad mismanaged the state budget for a decade and kept two sets of books before he was forced to institute reforms to stop his practice of hiding the hundreds of millions in deficit spending he created.
• Candidate Branstad attacks the concept of eliminating federal deductibility. Governor Branstad was the first Governor to try to eliminate federal deductibility and then supported it under Tom Vilsack.
• Candidate Branstad attacks the concept of using bonding to pay for IJOBS. Governor Branstad used public bonding multiple times to pay for over a billion dollars worth of projects.

“Iowans want to know where Terry actually stands on the issues. Whether running to the right for Republican primary voters or glossing over his record as governor, it’s clear that Branstad will say anything to make his political comeback happen.”

Since entering the race last October, conservative Republicans have criticized candidate Branstad for Governor Branstad’s record, his earlier endorsement of Senator Ben Nelson and support from Joy Corning, his former Lieutenant Governor.

Last week, the Iowa Family PAC passed over Branstad and endorsed Bob Vander Plaats, saying they would, under no circumstances, endorse Branstad in the primary or general election.

“The Iowans I talk to are concerned about the state’s future and how we move Iowa forward. They aren’t interested in a campaign about the past,” continued Kiernan, “The fact is, the Republican Party has changed a great deal since Branstad last served, and it will be difficult for him to make the case for going back to the past.”