DES MOINES, IA – Statement from the Iowa Democratic Party Chairman on Iowa Family PAC’s endorsement of Bob Vander Plaats’ candidacy for governor today.

“Bob Vander Plaats picked up a huge endorsement today.

“The Iowa Family PAC’s endorsement of Vander Plaats and refusal to support Terry Branstad even if he wins the nomination is an explicit rejection of Branstad’s candidacy. And, it seems that the Iowans Branstad refers to as the ‘confrontational right’ just became a whole lot more confrontational.

“Branstad’s fatal miscalculation is in underestimating the Vander Plaats campaign. Bob Vander Plaats is the former Huckabee for President campaign chair, and he knows how to organize in their communities, at churches, and even at Tea Parties, like the one he’s going to tonight.

“The social conservative movement in Iowa that vaulted Huckabee to the top in the 2008 Iowa caucuses is poised to do the same for Vander Plaats.  Regardless of what the campaign finance reports show next week, it is clear that the grassroots momentum that surprised the nation during the caucuses is on the side of the Vander Plaats campaign and can spur on a legitimate third party candidate.”

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