Branstad turned in 9,146 signatures, more than double the requirement of 3,412. Branstad’s signatures qualified him in 84 counties, surpassing the requirement of 10. Signatures were collected from all of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“These numbers demonstrate an unparalleled grassroots organization in Iowa on behalf of Governor Branstad,” said Branstad 2010 Campaign Manager Jeff Boeyink. “A vibrant, grassroots organization is imperative when running a statewide campaign, and we have assembled a great team that will help us be successful in June and November.”

Branstad says he is encouraged by the support he’s received.

“In traveling to more than 60 counties, I understand the frustration with how things are being run in Des Moines,” said Branstad. “If elected, on day one I will start working on my goals of job creation, reducing the size of government, increasing family incomes and restoring educational excellence.”

For more information on the Governor Branstad 2010 campaign, please visit www.GovernorBranstad2010.com

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The proposal can be seen by clicking here.

“It is time to stop playing shell games with taxpayer dollars, stop erratic budget fixes and start talking honestly about the state’s finances,” said Gov. Branstad. “This proposal will end bad budget practices and again bring fiscal responsibility to the state.”

When Gov. Branstad left office in 1999, the state of Iowa had a record $900 million surplus. Most recently, the budget faced a projected shortfall of nearly $1 billion. Gov. Chet Culver then enacted a 10 percent across-the-board cut in state government, causing property tax increases and uncertainty among Iowa’s state departments.

“This method of budgeting will remove the incremental cost increases due to annual budgets, and will provide stability to entities dependent on state resources,” said Branstad. “Implementing a five-year financial plan will meet critical needs while avoiding budget cliffs for years into the future.

“Current practices focus on a year-to-year approach with little regard for impact upon future budgets, new burdens for taxpayers, or ability to meet critical needs.”

Branstad, who served as Iowa’s governor from 1983 to 1999, will officially declare his candidacy by filing petition papers Tuesday and then continue his Leading Iowa’s Comeback campaign with a stop in Newton…full post HERE.

Republican Terry Branstad plans to formally become a candidate for the first time in 16 years Tuesday. His campaign aides says they will file the former governor’s papers at the Iowa Secretary of State’s office today…full post HERE.

Earlier this week Republican gubernatorial candidate Rod Roberts announced he’s been endorsed by nine current or former state legislators.  Roberts, who is from Carroll, is currently serving his 10th year in the Iowa House of Representatives.

This afternoon, former Governor Terry Branstad’s 2010 campaign announced Branstad now has the backing of twice as many legislators as Roberts has.  Branstad served 16  years as Iowa governor, from January of 1983 through January of 1999 (the reference below to 1991-1999 is to the legislator’s time of service which coincided with Branstad’s tenure as governor). Read the Branstad news release below…full post HERE.

When former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad stepped into the Dubuque County GOP convention, the nearly 75 people broke into applause.

“It’s good to be back in Dubuque County,” he said. “The first time I ran (for governor), I was so excited to see that I carried Dubuque County. Abraham Lincoln didn’t carry Dubuque County.”…full story HERE.

Since last July, Terry Branstad has led Culver the polls by anywhere from 16 to 29 percent…full post HERE.

HOLSTEIN, Iowa (March 9, 2010) – A standing-room-only crowd welcomed 2010 gubernatorial candidate and former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad Monday evening at Mark and Sheryl Leonard’s home near Holstein.

Branstad reaffirmed his commitment to visit all of Iowa’s 99 counties. With this reception in northern Ida County, and less than three months to go until the June 8 Iowa Primary Election, Branstad has now traveled to 60 counties during his 2010 campaign.

Branstad served as Iowa’s governor for four terms during the 1980s-90s and is running again to “lead Iowa’s comeback,” based on a four-pronged approach of adding 200,000 jobs for Iowans; raising family incomes by 25 percent; reducing state government by 15 percent; and making Iowa’s children the best educated in the country.

Fiscal responsibility, taxes, jobs and the definition of marriage led the topics of discussion when Branstad took questions from voters from Ida, Cherokee and Woodbury counties.

“Iowa’s budget had a $900 million surplus under Gov. Branstad’s leadership, and that was after bringing the state through the farm crisis of the 1980s. Now we have a billion-dollar deficit,” said Mark Leonard, Ida County Branstad campaign co-chair. “We need Gov. Branstad to come back and serve again.”

On marriage, “the governor’s position couldn’t be more clear: one man, one woman,” Leonard continued. “We already know where he stands on this issue. He signed Iowa’s Defense of Marriage Act into law in 1998. We don’t have to wonder if his actions in office will match his words during a campaign.”

As the state’s chief executive, Branstad weathered some of the worst economic turmoil in Iowa’s history, while helping lead the state’s resurgence to a booming economy in the ’90s. At the end of his tenure, Iowa enjoyed record employment and an unprecedented $900 million surplus.

Following his four terms as governor, Branstad went on to serve as president of Des Moines University. During his six-year tenure, he grew the university into a world-class educational facility. In October of 2009, wanting to “lead Iowa’s comeback,” Branstad retired from DMU to explore another run for governor.

Branstad and his wife, Chris, have three grown children: Eric, Allison and Marcus; and two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Bridget.

Sponsors for the March 8 event, in addition to the Leonards, were: Kevin and Vickie Heck, Val and Joan Wiese, Larry and Ginny Albrecht, Bill and Angie Anderson, Neal and Kitty Conover, Richard and Phyllis Hagemeier, Brad and Kim Knaack, Gaylen and Cheryl Knaack and Darron and Jeannia Uhl.

Seen in this photo:  Mark and Sheryl Leonard, Gov. Terry Branstad, Austin Leonard and Jenna Plagge

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

1 p.m.
Gov. Terry Branstad files nominating petitions
Iowa Secretary of State Mike Mauro’s formal office
Iowa State Capitol
Des Moines, IA

2:25 p.m.
Governor Terry Branstad addresses NICHE home school group
Wallace State Office Building Auditorium
1112 East Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA

Friday, March 19, 2010

10:30 a.m.
Gov. Terry Branstad holds Washington County Iowa Comeback Tour event
Frontier Family Restaurant
112 North Iowa Ave.
Washington, IA

1:30 p.m.
Gov. Terry Branstad holds Jasper County Iowa Comeback Tour event
Uncle Nancy’s Coffeehouse and Eatery
114 North 2^nd Ave. West
Newton, IA