Mike Blouin for Governor

Note: This is the personal opinion of the blogger, not the position of the Woodbury County Democrats!

This November’s election for Governor of Iowa will come down to republican Jim Nussle vs. the best Democrat we can nominate, and that man is Mike Blouin.

When you compare the major candidates in the Iowa primary, only Blouin has the experience and proven ability to serve as our governor. As a teacher, Iowa legislator, US Congressman and head of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Blouin has demonstrated time and again that he has the ability to lead and to accomplish some rather impressive goals.

While other candidates might have better name recognition right now, Blouin has the strongest record in real-world accomplishments. In the United States Congress, he helped lead the fight for better wages and safer conditions for working people everywhere. And during his three years as Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa passed the largest jobs program in its history—the Iowa Values Fund. As point person in job creation for the state Mike was responsible for the creation or retention of 30,000 good-paying jobs. The Iowa Values Fund is commonly referred to as the most successful economic development effort in the state’s history.

Blouin has some fairly progressive ideas on extending health care to more Iowans, and strengthening education – especially for very young children. As he continually points out, it is far cheaper to invest needed dollars in early education than to continue to pay vast costs to society years later for people who can’t make it on their own. And he is committed to having a cabinet-level position on his staff for a director of women’s and children’s health, and doubling the amount the state spends on anti-smoking programs.

Iowans deserve to have a strong governor who can accomplish his progressive goals. Iowans need a man with the proven ability to work with legislators, teachers, labor and businesses to make Iowa stronger and better. Mike Blouin is the man who will make that happen.