Oskaloosa.com - GOP candidates speak in Sigourney
Sioux City businessman Vander Plaats began the night’s list of speakers by bringing up actor/fitness guru Chuck Norris’ endorsement of his campaign. In particular, Vander Plaats talked about Norris’ five “Fs” including faith, family, freedom, fight and fitness.
Norris’ idea of freedom quickly turned Vander Plaats to the issue of same-sex marriage and the April 3 decision to legalize these unions in Iowa, saying marriage between one man and one woman is the “foundation for our society.”
“What the Supreme Court did on April 3, they can’t do,” said Vander Plaats. “The Supreme Court drove a car without a license. They legislated from the bench. On Day One, I’m going to issue an executive order that places a stay on the April 3 decision on same-sex marriages until the people of Iowa have a right to vote on that issue.”
Vander Plaats next turned to education, saying that if he is elected he will appoint representatives for home schooling and private schools to the state board of education.
When it came to competing with current Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, Vander Plaats said Culver is “very vulnerable” before bringing up the fact that the last time an incumbent Iowa governor was defeated was in 1962.
“I believe Chet Culver’s biggest chance at reelection is if we nominate a candidate with a lengthy political record,” said Vander Plaats. “That record becomes the focus, not Culver’s record. The beauty of my candidacy is I don’t have a record.”
