This is the first of a series of articles regarding the Iowa governor’s race.  After the primaries have completed we have three names on the ballot.  Libertarian Nicholas Gluba, Democrat Rob Sand, and Republican Zach Lahn. The primary source for this starting article is ballotpedia.org which has a candidate survey and took quotes from the candidate web sites.

 

One of the first items that I notice is the candidate backgrounds,  As our founding fathers had farms, stores, were practicing lawyers, tradesmen.  They took breaks from their occupations to run a government then go back to their private lives.

 

I found it interesting that Gluba who is a lifelong Iowa resident, Williamsburg Community School and a marine with in the Middle East during Operation Iraqi Freedom mentioned his first job as a dishwasher at a restaurant in Amana Iowa then promoted to salad prep then line cook.  His resume includes working as a blue collar warehouse worker with Whirlpool and a chef at the Price Creek Event Center in Amana, Iowa.  He has been on the LoneTree city council.

 

Zach Lahn is a graduate of Sioux City East high school.  He went to college at University of Colorado. Lahn is a business man and farmer.  Yes, he spends time in two states, but many people do.  He mentions that he has family in both states.  He has decided to continue the family farm.  He touts that he is not a career politician and his published resume shows private sector.  His involvement includes a Venture Capital firm and also starting a private school. There is a film clip of him asking Barack Obama a question.  But not all people who ask a politician a question are politicians.

 

Rob Sand is from Decorah Iowa. He went to Brown University to get a degree in Political Science.  He then returned to get a law degree from University of Iowa Law School.  His work resume includes no private sector experience.  Per ballotpedia.org his experiences includes working as a public corruption prosecutor for the Attorney General of Iowa. In 2006, Sand also worked for Ed Fallon’s campaign for Governor of Iowa and managed Denise O’Brien’s general election campaign for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. During one college semester, he worked in Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's (D) Washington, D.C., office.

 

The purpose of this first article is to show introductory information of the candidates and how their background fits with the lives that the founding fathers envisioned in the Unites States.  We have three candidates of different backgrounds.

 

We have Rob Sand who looks to be a career politician and government employee.  Please email this web site for any references to work in the private sector. George Washington went home to Mount Vernon, his plantation estate located in Fairfax County, Virginia. To what and where would Rob Sand go home to?

 

Zach Lahn looks to have studied to have a career in business.  And yes, a farm is a business. I do not see any elected offices in his background. While having residency needs in two states he has business interest in Kansas, but has land and is a farmer in Iowa.  Lahn has a farm to come home to.

 

Nicholas Gluba is not a college person but his experiences include the military, work in restaurants, and warehouse are to be celebrated.  The United States has room for all in decision making.  He has had a city council position which can add to his capabilities.  Gluba has multiple occupations to come home to after his run or election.  It should be noted he answered more questions than Lahn and Sand on the Ballotpedia questionnaire.