“Iowa Kingmakers” Who Flew to New Jersey in 2011 Still Backing Christie for President
“You always know where he stands, what he means. You don’t need an interpreter.” - Bruce Rastetter
Today, Bruce Rastetter, Denny Elwell, Gary Kirke, Dr. Mike Richards, Mikel Derby and Jim Kersten will announce their endorsement of Chris Christie for President. Six of the original seven leaders who traveled to New Jersey in 2011 to convince Governor Christie to run for President are still backing his candidacy even with a fifteen person field. This influential group of Iowa business and community leaders add to the organization that includes two former Branstad campaign managers, his former Chief of Staff and a number of long-serving Iowa political activist.
Five years later, Chris Christie is still the candidate who doesn’t need an interpreter for people to know where he stands and what he means.
Associated Press: “Iowans who sought to draft Christie in 2011, back him again”
• Bruce Rastetter: "What we've looked at and come around to is similar thoughts as in 2011. We need blunt, bold leadership. We need somebody that can actually govern."
FLASHBACK:
National Review: “Iowa GOP Donors to Christie: Please Run!”
The Associated Press: “Hoping To Pull Christie Into Presidential Race, Iowa Fundraisers Head To N.J.”
CNN: “Iowa Republicans Come To NJ To Court Christie”
Reuters: “Some Republicans Urge Christie To Run For President”
• Bruce Rastetter: "There isn’t anyone like Chris Christie on the national scene for Republicans … And so we believe that he, or someone like him, running for president is very important at this critical time in our country." (The Associated Press, 5/8/11)
• “Rastetter cited Christie’s ‘blunt, direct leadership style. You always know where he stands, what he means. You don’t need an interpreter.’ … ‘He clearly understands smaller government, less government spending, job creation, and how to create a better education system — certainly, all the things I and those accompanying me care about …’” (The Associated Press, 5/8/11)
• Dr. Michael Richards: "We all know that it's a personal sacrifice … Our sense is that he has that certain ‘presidential something.'” (Real Clear Politics, 5/11/11)
• Gary Kirke: "I'll just speak from my heart and will try to let him know there's a call to duty like I've never seen before … We have a lot of great guys that could be great candidates, but we don't have great campaigners. I think Christie could be both." (Real Clear Politics, 5/11/11)
• “He’s a get-in-your-face type of guy. Real leadership and no BS.” (Des Moines Register, 5/9/11)
These business and community leaders have been active in Iowa politics, including leading political efforts for Governor Branstad reelections, and are committed to strengthening their state and this country.
Iowa Leaders Endorsing Christie:
• Bruce Rastetter, CEO of The Summit Group
• Bruce Rastetter is a lifelong Iowan committed to making a difference in our state. He is a successful entrepreneur of agriculture and energy-related companies as well as a community leader dedicated to improving the quality and affordability of higher education in Iowa.
He learned the value of hard work and education growing up on his 300-acre family farm outside of Iowa Falls; later attending Ellsworth Community College and the University of Iowa. After graduating he returned to his roots to start his own feed management business. The success of the business led him to additional start-ups—a building construction entity and a swine production operation—later merging the three businesses into Heartland Pork Enterprises. He guided Heartland’s acquisition by Christensen Farms to become the 4th largest U.S. pork producer.
A true entrepreneur, Bruce co-founded Hawkeye Energy Holdings in 2003; which grew to become one of America’s largest pure-play ethanol producers. He served as CEO until 2011. Today, Bruce serves as CEO of the Summit Group, a leader in agribusiness, production agriculture, renewable energy and international development.
Bruce was the Co-Chair of Governor Terry Branstad’s 2011 inaugural committee and was named an Honorary Colonel during the 2015 Inauguration of Governor Branstad.
• Denny Elwell, Chairman of Denny Elwell Company, LC
• Denny Elwell Company, LC is a commercial real estate company in Ankeny, Iowa. What is now a prominent real estate company was sprung from the humble beginnings of a small town Iowa boy.
The years of support from the community throughout his business venture years have not gone unnoticed as Denny supports many local organizations. These include, but are not limited to: The Iowa State Fair, Meals from the Heartland, The United Way of Central Iowa, The Science Center of Iowa and many others.
Most recently Denny was named one of "2013 Most Influential Business Leaders" by the readers of the Business Record, "Small Business Man of the Year" and "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" by the City of Ankeny for 2012 and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Putco Manufacturing, Inc. and Classic Ice, LLC.
• Gary Kirke, Chairman, Wild Rose Casino and Resort and Founder, Kirke Financial Services
• Before starting Wild Rose, Mr. Kirke was co-founder, chairman and CEO of Kirke-Van Orsdel, Inc. Established in 1974, KVI grew into one of the largest third-party benefits and insurance administrators in the nation, with a dozen offices across the country and nearly 2,000 employees. Along-time champion of public service, Mr. Kirke advocates community involvement and civic contributions. Republican and Democratic governors have tapped him to serve on such high-profile boards and committees as the Grow Iowa Values Board and the Iowa Future Growth Committee. Most recently, Gov. Terry Branstad conferred on Mr. Kirke the title of Honorary Colonel in recognition of his strong leadership and respect within the community.
• Dr. Mike Richards, Vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Wild Rose Casino & Resorts
• After graduating from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completing his residency at the University of Nebraska, Dr. Richards practiced as a specialist in internal medicine in Des Moines for two decades. He co-founded a statewide physician group practice, serving as its president until 1997 when it became a not-for-profit foundation. Dr. Richards was then named chief medical officer of Iowa Health System, the state’s largest clinic and hospital network. In this position, he was responsible for the operations of a $100 million division consisting of 46 clinics with 62 locations and for the management of 460 physicians and more than 1,600 employees.
In 1999, Dr. Richards joined Kirke Financial Services and spearheaded the acquisition of MEDTEC, a company specializing in tumor targeting and software programs used in radiation therapy. During Dr. Richards’ tenure as chairman of the board, MEDTEC dramatically increased its product line and opened up export markets in the EU and Pacific Rim.
• Mikel Derby, Legislative Liaison for the Department of Transportation.
• Branstad-Reynolds 2010 campaign veteran and longtime statewide GOP Activist and professional.
• Jim Kersten, Former Iowa State Senator
• Currently VP of External Relations for Iowa Central Community College, former Branstad staff, and served on Iowa Economic Development Authority
• NOTE: Cam Sutton, the seventh business leader who traveled to New Jersey in 2011, cannot endorse a candidate for President because of his current job.
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