This Saturday, the Republican Party of Iowa will conduct an election to fill two vacant 4th District State Central Committee spots. The vacancies occurred when Jamie Johnson resigned to take a position with former Governor Rick Perry and when Gabe Haugland resigned to take a position with the Iowa National Guard.
All county chairs and co-chairs in the 4th Congressional District are qualified voting delegates for this special election, which will be held at 10 a.m. this Saturday at the Iowa Central College East Campus, Triton Room. The address is 2031 Quail Avenue, in Fort Dodge.
There are four identified candidates seeking the two spots. TheIowaRepublican.com requested and received brief bios of each candidate and asked them a series of questions. I have copied and pasted the information they provided below.
Andy Cable:
I am a fourth generation Hardin County resident born and raised in Eldora. I graduated from Drake University in 1972- and I might add during a very volatile time for teenagers and college age students I was a conservative even then. Statements from my father who was a WWII vet along the lines of the cost of freedom in the world, you are responsible for your actions, you buy something when you can pay for it, if you do not have time to do it right the first time when will you have time to do it over? among others had a long term effect on me.
My Senior year in college I started my own retail business in Des Moines called Audio Labs. I am proud to say it is still in business on only its third ownership and still providing the same quality image we started it with 43 years later. Upon selling it I became one of the youngest Head Buyers in history of a major department store chain. After three years there and a new baby I moved my family back to Eldora and bought a hardware store. Nothing like small town Iowa to raise your children.
Ten years later I sold the business and went to work as a Sales Rep covering a three state area. Here I was consistently in the top echelon of sales for the company. Ten more years once again bought a change – this time I became the General Manger of one of the Top 10 Tennis Resorts in the country in Naples, Fl.. Looked like heaven for a while but due to several factors outside my control and the longing for “4 seasons” I returned to Iowa after 3 years.
Since returning to Iowa in 1996 I have owned my own company – Diversified Interests. I deal in numerous areas from satellite communication, rental property, even investment in a beauty salon for a short period, political consulting and farm management while also owing a small farm myself.
I am both a social and fiscal conservative who was pro-life before it was called that and I strongly believe in a traditional family. I am also proud to represent Iowans as a member of the United States Selective Service System.
My involvement in the Iowa GOP includes:
close to 30 years on and off the County Central Committee- including many years as the County Chair or Co-Chair.
numerous leadership roles for candidates dating all the way back to Phil Crane- which definitely dates me
4th District Chairman of the Permanent Organization Committee 4 times ; State Permanent Organization Chair – 2006 State Convention
Candidate for the Republican State Chairman in 2008
successful Campaign Manager for three victories for the Iowa State House for 44 District
one of the “instigators” that started the “illegal DECs” three years ago that now are firmly involved in all 4 Congressional Districts in Ia.
Served both as Co-Chair and Chair of the Congressman Kings 4th District Executive Committee
I think few understand as well as I do the problems County Republican parties face- especially in the so called “rural counties” The lack of communication and the needs for outside help, support and leadership transfer. These counties have long been taken for granted as conservative bastions. In many cases the RPI has led by edict down and focused on State and national races. This needs to be addressed and reversed. Our county parties need to rebuild from the ground up. Problems need to be identified and tackled- not ignored or glossed over.
The reason for RPI, District and County organizations is plain and simple – to gain and preserve power by electing solid candidates with similar values. I have acquired and shown an understanding of the mindset of individual counties and what it takes to win in rural Iowa from the Courthouse to the Statehouse. Each county, each race has its own problems and idiosyncrasies. They must be addressed as such.
In real estate and retail its “location, location. location” in politics it is “communication, communication, communication.” As your State Central Committee member I will be available to you – while the 4th is a large District, I put close to a million miles driving in sales and no County is ” too far away”. I will represent ALL counties and visit ALL counties within the District. I will open up all communication lines and keep all Central Committees and leadership on top of what is happening at the state level and more importantly I feel – what is happening- what works and why in other counties. I will work to establish successful voter turnouts like the one we had in Hardin County in a special election for County Treasurer. We even won the absentee vote, turned out our base and defeated a Democrat appointed Treasurer by the unheard of margin of 72% to 28%. While outspent we were not outworked.
I pledge to work for those that elected me- not a special interest group nor a caucus or primary campaign. I as many of you have seen too many people use this position for a personal agenda to advance themselves. The grassroots voters who I represent will ALWAYS be my #1 priority. I ask for your support May 2nd in electing me to help utilize my many years of experience at the county and district levels to represent you- the real heart and soul grassroots of our Party as your voice on the State Central Committee
If you want a voice at the SCC level that has the experience an understanding of what you as County Republican leaders need and want. someone that has fought for a voice from the real grassroots then I ask for your vote. I will work hard for the counties of the 4th, offer much needed communication and be proud to represent you first and foremost!
Robert Dishman
My name is Robert Dishman and I am co-chair on the Wright County Central Committee. I have served on the committee for about 7 years now-6 of those years as co-chair with Larry McBain. I have run for the Iowa House the last two elections- with the last one being a special election. I have also helped Steward Iverson when he ran to take back the House seat. It was a time of learning for me as I went door to door.
I was born and raised in Mexico, Missouri. My father was a carpenter and had his own business where I learned valuable lessons about hard work and how to build relationships between co-workers and the people we worked for. I served 4 years in the Navy during the Vietnam conflict. I worked 22 years in the brick industry in Mexico. I went to college at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly Mo. I have served as minister at Park Church of Christ working on my 10th year now. God brought Dianna, my wife, and I here, but we have chosen Iowa as our home.
Suzan M. Stewart
Resident of Sioux City for 35 years and long time Republican volunteer
Current parliamentarian of Woodbury Central Committee
Member of Woodbury Central Committee for most of past 28 years
Attended most county conventions, many district conventions and some state conventions
Worked on many campaigns starting as intern on city council campaign in high school
Volunteer lawyer in presidential cycles
Committed conservative
Managing senior attorney for MidAmerican Energy Company; will retire this summer (and have more time to be a Republican volunteer) after 35 year career
Graduate of University of Iowa with degrees in Spanish, Library Science and Law.
Service on many state and local boards, including the Iowa Transportation Commission, the Woodbury County Selective Service Commission, the Iowa Board of Dentistry, the Iowa Public Information Board, Sioux City Planning and Zoning Commission, Woodbury County Taxpayers Research Council among others
Respectful of SCC role and eager to begin to work to enhance and support the Republican Party
Mother of four grown children (with one child, Bob Stewart, current city co-chair of the Woodbury County Republicans); married to Dr. Robert Stewart, retired pulmonary physician
Committed bicyclist and knitter
Editors Note: Mrs. Stewart is not Sioux City Sue who comments on TIR. CR
John Thompson
I grew up in Jefferson in Greene County. My parents were farmers. My father is also a pastor.
My parents had six kids. All six of us joined the Army including my sister.
I joined the army two weeks after I turned 17. When I was 21 I was accepted into the military academy at West Point.
After I graduated West Point I was deployed to Iraq. I was on a small team of 11 troops responsible for training about 500 Iraqi Army troops far away from other US forces.
About halfway through our deployment some of the Iraqis tuned on us. They ambushed and killed nearly half my team.
I survivors Iraq and then deployed again to Afghanistan with the green berets training Afghan Army. This time my job was doing something called information operations. What that is…is looking for unique ways to get the local population to support the government of Afghanistan and our mission. I would build relationships with mullas and councils, establish radio stations and figure out other ways to get our messages to the population.
After Afghanistan I moved to Fort Bragg where I commanded in the 82nd Airborne. When I finished my command I was accepted into a graduate program at Harvard University.
At Harvard I studied fiscal policy and advanced electioneering methods. The premier democratic campaign managers taught me how to win elections. My professors were Tom Daschle and Jon Edward’s campaign manager. Hillary Clinton’s pollster. Obama and Howard Dean’s online fundraiser.
I spent my time there stealing the democratic playbook and combing that with some Army management techniques.
Last year when I was finishing up my Grad program I was asked by the republican leadership and come back to run against Mike Fitzgerald for state treasurer. Sam Clovis came in second in the US Senate race so I stepped aside at the state convention and both of us spent the rest of the cycle trying to fire up republicans and get Joni across the finish line.
Describe your history and involvement with the Republican Party.
Robert Dishman: About 8 years ago I was asked to go to a presidential caucus. Some after I helped Steward Iverson run for the Iowa House. After Iverson decided to not run again I ran for the Iowa House against Rayhons. It taught me what it took to run for office. I ran again this past year and through a special election Terry Baxter won. Terry as me to be his campaign manager and I agreed after some prayer. It taught me that the Republican party is much bigger than any one person.
I have been co-chair for Wright County Central Committee for the past 6 years or so. I have chaired two caucus’ in Wright county. Chaired two county conventions. Chaired two special election. Been a delegate to the District and State Conventions this past election cycle.
Suzan Stewart: My political experience started when I was in high school, working on the campaign of a local alderman. While at the University of Iowa, I went door to door in Iowa City for Republican candidates. I was not deterred by the fact that this was Democrat territory. When I moved to Sioux City in the 80s, I immediately became a county chair for Branstad and spent my evenings driving my children around putting out yard signs for Republicans. I enjoyed that experience and got elected to the Central Committee for my precinct, a position I’ve held for most of the past 28 years. In addition to being a Central Committee member, I’ve served on the county executive committee, numerous rules and platform committees, organized county conventions, found pollwatchers, and am currently the parliamentarian of the Woodbury County Republicans. I particularly enjoyed being a volunteer election day lawyer. I’ve spent my Tuesday nights at the Woodbury County courthouse on both good and bad nights watching the votes come in for Republicans. Some of the more interesting electoral experiences I’ve had involved recounts and monitoring vote counting in Woodbury County.
John Thompson: I ran as a candidate for Treasurer of State but declined the nomination at convention. I worked as Dr. Sam Clovis’ political director during his Treasurer campaign and volunteered during his senate campaign. Additionally volunteered for several state legislator races and conservative advocacy groups.
What do you believe is the appropriate role of a SCC member?
Andy Cable: To facilitate communications between the DECs and Counties. When a SCC member is elected to represent the 39 counties in their District it should be there number one priority.
Robert Dishman: The role is two fold- 1. To help the candidates to the general election to get elected. 2. The support and communicate to all the Chairs and Co-chairs in the 4th district.
Suzan Stewart: To do what I can to elect Republicans. The SCC is the administrative arm of the party that makes sure that elections are successful for Republican nominees and there are resources in place to do the job. For an SCC member from the 4th district, this means being in constant communication with the counties that make up our district and taking their concerns to the SCC and providing them with support. For any SCC member, that means being impartial and making thoughtful and informed decisions about the resources the party should use and the direction in which it should go to achieve this task. Looking at chair Kaufmann’s letter on the RPI website, I fully agree with his stated objectives and priorities of doing all that can be done to elect Republicans and ensure that the 2016 caucuses are a tribute to the state of Iowa. I do not seek this position to further a candidate or a particular way for the party to do business. I intend to listen carefully to all options presented and do what I think is the best for the Republicans that I represent. You will never hear me cast aspersions on fellow Republicans if I am elected to the SCC.
John Thompson: The SCC members are responsible to ensure the RPI assists in the recruitment and election of Candidates that will support our platform and to register and bring out voters.
The current state central committee members all signed a pledge not to endorse a presidential candidate until after caucuses. Will you make the same pledge?
Andy Cable: Totally agree and was big promoter of this pledge over the last couple years.
Robert Dishman: I would sign the pledge as well.
Suzan Stewart: Yes, I understand that and expect to be required to sign such a pledge as well. With or without my signature on a pledge document I will take my responsibility to support all Republicans very seriously. I don’t see how the SCC’s goal of electing Republicans can be fulfilled if a member of the top level of the Republican party organization doesn’t support the candidates nominated by its members.
John Thompson: This is appropriate. Although the SCC members may have preferences and it may be more appropriate to share their leanings for transparency, RPI is uniquely situated with the First in the Nation status. It is important in this respect to make sure candidates know they get fair consideration. I don’t have any favorite candidate for President at this point and I won’t act as an advocate for anyone until after the candidate is decided. I do think we need to start looking for and assisting candidates in battleground State Senate districts this summer.
Will you support all Republican candidates that appear on the general election ballot? Why or why not?
Andy Cable: Yes. Once again this position is not primarily about personal feelings but rather about supporting those that elected you and the Party in general. There is always a difference between support and promote also.
Robert Dishman: Yes. We need to stand with our candidates after they have gone through the primary. We cannot afford to stay as home if our candidate doesn’t win the primary. A lot is at stake in the up coming elections. We will as Republicans have to stand together to defeat the next Democrat –Hillary Clinton- for president and any other Democrat running for office. When we elect some one to office we need to support them.
Suzan Stewart: Yes. The role of the SCC is to support all Republicans, not a subset.
John Thompson: Absolutely. If there is a place to be “big tent” it’s the party. And I will not only support them, I will do all I can to get them elected.
Will you promise to fulfill the remainder of term that you are seeking to fill?
Andy Cable: Certainly my intention the good Lord willing, but such promises are only speculative without knowing the circumstances the future may present.
Robert Dishman: Yes.
Suzan Stewart: Yes. I would not run for this position if I had any other intention. It is not in the best interest of the party to have continual turnover at the top. If this question is being asked because some candidates may seek to leverage their SCC membership by securing new positions, please recognize that I will be retiring this summer from a day job that I really like and I am not in the market for another paying job.
John Thompson: Yes.
What unique skill or asset would you bring to the Republican Party of Iowa?
Andy Cable: Years of experience and insight into how RPI has functioned and how it can be improved. I am not an out front self promoter looking for a resume builder, but rather a behind the scenes doer that has proven track record of getting things done.
Robert Dishman: As I have stated above I have run for public office before and know what must be done.
Suzan Stewart: Fresh and impartial, but experienced, eyes. This is my first experience running for any office of any type and I have to say it takes me a little outside of my comfort zone. I prefer to work behind the scenes on the organizational side. In addition to a lot of political experience and my career as an attorney, I’ve had broad experience serving on state and local organizations like the Woodbury County Selective Service Commission, the Woodbury County Tax Research Conference and the Iowa Public Information Board.
John Thompson: There are two big things I want to do on the central committee and they are both to empower the county parties.
The first thing is to establish a great playbook to help our candidates win elections at the county level. The best candidates are those that answer a calling. They aren’t the ones that come to us. We know some great farmers, business owners and people in our church that really care about our community. They may not know how to write a speech, raise money, or build a website. They may not even be active in politics. But if we had a great guidebook to help them win elections we will have better representation. Some people have a slick tongue and a good story. They may be a great salesman. But if we keep electing salesman they are just going to sell us something instead of taking care of us. We can teach a good person to be a good candidate but it’s not possible to teach a good candidate to be a good person if he or she isn’t one already.
The second thing is something called micro targeting.
Back in the 90s Bill Clinton had a friend that figured out how that if you took the data collecting by magazine companies, visa and MasterCard…and if you combined that with voter data…you could create a shopping profile of a democrat. They realized that if they compared that data to other folks in the same community…the ones that shopped like democrats had about an 85% correlation of voting for Democrats. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck…it’s probably a Democrat. But if it walks like a patriot and shops like a conservative…we need to get those folks registered to vote as republicans.
This is the reason we lose in presidential years. The democrats are able to stir up these low information voters that are likely to voter their way. If we catch up to this we can win the state senate in a presidential election year. We can protect Congressman Blum and Young for another term. We can be a red state.
Why are you running for the Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee? What is it you would like to help accomplish?
Andy Cable: There has been much change in RPI since the formation of the District Executive Committees two years ago. There is still much to accomplish before 2016 elections.
Improve communications within RPI at all levels. The new DECs and the counties need stronger ties with the SCC and RPI. I talk with new Chairs and Co-Chairs consistently that want and need better understanding of how to improve their jobs. Over the 25 -30 years I have been activist in the party I have seen many good things that have been forgotten. The chance to work improve the relationships that were damaged over the last few years between the counties and RPI and to help fulfill the role of the DECs provided for within RPI.
Robert Dishman: To help make a difference.
To define ourselves as Republicans.
-Less government .
-we need to work on bringing back what the Federal level of government has taken from the States.
- Following the Constitution- we have our rights defined within the Constitution- freedoms that are so important to us all. The freedom of speech- freedom of religion and the exercise there of- the freedom to bear arms are just a few of the one our government is trying so hard to take from many of us. Christians and churches are being targeted to comply with things that go against their faith.
-Live with our means – set a budget and stick to it. Stop spending more than we take in.
-Pro-life
-Pro-marriage between a man and a woman as God had ordained from the beginning.
Suzan Stewart: I have to say I don’t have an agenda of things I want to accomplish other than to elect Republicans and continue efforts to make the party organization better and more supportive of local parties and candidates. I love being an Iowa Republican and being part of the party and it is natural to want to have a bigger role in something you enjoy. The November 2014 election was very fulfilling for us in Woodbury and across Iowa as we saw Republicans sweep races I never thought we would. RPI had tremendous success in 2014 and my perception is that there were great strides made in voter identification and absentee programs. This is going to have to be enhanced for the 2016 general election. I don’t have a magic bullet and no one does, but I promise to listen closely to any proposals to continue our success by identifying and turning out more Republican voters. Up in Woodbury, in too many cycles a crew of out-of-state people came in for the 72 hour blast before an election. That doesn’t work and doesn’t build the Republican voting bloc on a long term basis.