Through the economic downturn and natural disasters in recent years, Gov. Chet Culver said Iowa is positioned well for the future.
Culver spoke to attendees at the Iowa Farmers Union convention Friday at Marshalltown Community College.
He said the state has weathered the storm economically and cited a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report that indicated Iowa had the eighth strongest economy in the nation.
"I wouldn't trade places with any governor in this country tonight," Culver said.
Culver took a few jabs at his opponent in this fall's gubernatorial election, Republican Terry Branstad.
He told the farmers in the audience that Branstad did not support them when he was governor during the farming crisis in the 1980s.
"Terry Branstad said 'no' to those farmers who desperately needed help," Culver said.
Though some polls may indicate Branstad has a lead on Culver, the current governor said the campaign in many ways has not started yet. He said he looks forward to the opportunity to debate Branstad, with the first one scheduled for Sept. 14.
Culver talked about the growth in renewable energy in the state the last four years while he has been in office and said voting for Branstad might stop that growth. He said the state has built 40 wind farms the last four years with a goal to eventually have enough renewable energy so Iowa can export it.
Culver received the "Friend of the Farmer Award" from the Iowa Farmers Union prior to speaking to the group. Gregg Heide, vice president of the IFU, said Culver's backing of the Iowa Power Fund, renewable energy and biofuels were the main reasons he was being honored.
"There were several policy items during his last term we're very happy with," Heide said.
The two-day IFU convention continues today at the college with several other politicians expected to speak including Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and his challenger Roxanne Conlin.
Their speeches are not open to the public.
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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com
