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When it comes to Republicans, the grand old party was clearly looking toward 2010 Friday at Iowa Valley Conference Center's DeJardin Hall.

Holding its 21st Annual Steak Fry fund raiser, approximately 200 people were on hand to partake of Iowa's finest homegrown food and begin the grass-roots effort to gain financing for the Marshall Co. Rep. candidates and Central Committee.

Iowa Congressman Tom Latham was on hand to speak about what, for some, has been a trying time for the party.

"What most people would consider a difficult Republican year, it is because of all the hard work and effort right here that we can look forward," said Latham, who during his fifteenth year in Congress, is optimistic of a nearing campaign.

"I don't think there is a person in this country that doesn't understand the huge change that has come to our government," he said. "I think we've got a great opportunity next year."

Latham also touched on the current trend of outspoken citizens frequenting town hall meetings nation wide, which he said has not just become a driving force, but a cumulative stance against bailouts and spending.

"I've been doing a lot of [them] and there is absolute outrage everywhere because people feel the federal government has totally forgotten about them and that they're only concerned about Washington," he said. "It's all of these things that tell the American people, 'we don't care, we're out of control and we're going to do it no matter what you say.'"

Also on hand and contemplating a gubernatorial run were businessmen Bob Vander Plaats from Sioux City and Christian Fong from Cedar Rapids, along with legislators Christopher Rants, Jerry Behn and Rod Roberts.

Jane Jech announced she again will run for Iowa State Legislature as representative of District 43.

Jech was defeated by incumbent Rep. Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown 57 to 43 percent in the 2008 election.

Having served on the Iowa Valley Community College District board of directors, Jech said she will look forward to the challenge, adding an official announcement will follow sometime in September.

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Contact Tammy R. Lawson at 641-753-6611 or tlawson@timesrepublican.com