TheIowaRepublican.com has learned that it is becoming more and more likely that Bob Vander Plaats’ name will be placed in nomination for Lieutenant Governor at the Republican State Convention this Saturday.

The effort is being spearheaded by a group of Vander Plaats supporters who are upset that Terry Branstad won the Republican nomination on June 8^th.  Branstad won 50% of the vote, while Vander Plaats garnered 41%.

Yesterday, supporters of a Vander Plaats nomination at the convention held a prayer meeting to consider the move.  The meeting was conducted over the phone early last night.  For Vander Plaats to be nominated at convention, it is likely that his supporters would have to build a coalition with the Campaign for Liberty organizers, who claim to have elected 200 delegates to the convention.

If Vander Plaats is nominated, he would then have to accept the nomination.  Vander Plaats has been laying low since the primary.  Whether or not he accepts the nomination, the move would badly damage Branstad as he enters into the general election campaign

If the delegates do nominate Vander Plaats, it will be an embarrassment to the Republican gubernatorial nominee, Terry Branstad.  Instead of the convention serving as a spring board for the his campaign into the general election, it could turn into some sort of reality television program that could squander the Republicans’ opportunity to gain seats in this fall’s election.

The one thing that Branstad could do to prevent an embarrassing convention is nominate a solid pro-life, pro-family running mate that isn’t afraid to talk about those issues.  Branstad is expected to name his pick for Lieutenant Governor at any moment.

Photo by Dave Davidson