The People's Business

DES MOINES – Iowa Democrats who have given up on convincing Gov. Tom Vilsack to run again are now wondering what Mike Blouin will do. Blouin, a former legislator, congressman and economic development leader in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, now directs the Iowa Department of Economic Development. He’s thinking about a run for governor in 2006 and says he’ll make a final decision this spring or summer.

Statehouse types who know and work with him say he’s leaning toward running. And even his political foes concede he could become a formidable player. But until he makes up his mind, the race for the Democratic nomination will remain in a holding pattern.

Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver is all but officially in the race, having hired staff and consultants to shape his campaign. State Rep. Ed Fallon of Des Moines mounted a shoe-leather effort last year to get his name out and he recently put together a campaign staff. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs says he’s very serious about a possible run.

But it’s clear a sizeable number of Democrats have misgivings about Culver’s ability to win a tough campaign against a skilled Republican nominee such as U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle. Maybe Culver will prove them wrong, but for now, doubts about his prospects are real and persistent.

For all his hard work, Fallon remains a little-known long-shot. Gronstal’s hopes rest on whether a divided Iowa Senate can accomplish anything. And Democratic legislative leaders don’t have a strong gubernatorial track record. That’s why so many Democrats are fascinated by Blouin.

For starters, Blouin has compiled an eye-popping track record over the past two years. Since July 2003, when the Iowa Values Fund first became law, Blouin’s department takes credit for helping create 9,820 new jobs while retaining another 4,842 jobs. Companies in 77 counties have received assistance, resulting in capitol investments of nearly $2.5 billion.

A state that once had a short list of business prospects knocking on the door now has dozens in line. If economic growth is the top issue in 2006, Blouin has plenty of ammunition to make a case.

Being the bearer of economic good news also has allowed Blouin to travel across the state cutting ribbons and handing out dough. He recently held regional news conferences to announce recipients of federal development block grants. The department used to send out a press release.

Blouin makes a good impression. He’s a quick-witted, infinitely positive CEO-type who doesn’t speak in political platitudes. He has that adult-in-charge aura that a candidate for governor needs while also being personable enough to connect with Iowans.

Of course, Blouin also has down sides, especially in a Democratic primary race.

He is pro-life, which could alienate scores of core Democratic voters. It could also neutralize a big weapon in the Republicans’ “values’’ arsenal if Blouin ever made it to the general election ballot.

His coziness with big business makes him less palatable to labor unions. Fallon and many other progressive Democrats look at millions of dollars in values fund incentives and see corporate welfare at its worst.

And Blouin’s political aspirations are complicating efforts to get a revived Iowa Values Fund through the Legislature. Senate Republicans who already dislike the values fund are even less interested in handing a clear victory to their possible adversary, especially one who could win.

But Blouin said he has no intention of speeding up his decision or of bowing out of the legislative fight.

“I’m just going to leave things alone and do my job,’’ Blouin said last week. “Once this is over with I’ll have time to think about it. I don’t have a whole lot of time right now.’’



Todd Dorman is Statehouse bureau chief for Lee Enterprises newspapers. He can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net.