Story sent to [email protected] by Steve H.
Publisher and community activist Jonathan Narcisse announced on December 24 that he would form an exploratory committee to gauge support for a possible bid for governor of Iowa. While Narcisse is a former co-chair of the local Democratic Party in Iowa’s largest county he has not decided whether to challenge incumbent Democrat Chet Culver in a primary or run as an independent. “I will say that if Gov. Culver will not participate in a debate process, then it increases significantly the likelihood that I will run as an independent because there needs to be a conversation beyond the negative attacks that are going to take place between the nominee of the Republican Party and the nominee of the Democratic Party,” he told the Sioux City Journal (http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/article_58e05516-f0ad-11de-a60c-001cc4c03286.html)
Narcisse has an extensive resume in lobbying and political work but held elective office for only two years when he served one term on the Des Moines school board. His time there was often marked by controversy as his reform agenda clashed with administrators and teachers’ unions. Narcisse declined to run for re-election in 2009 and instead launched a tour of the state promoting a new agenda under the label “An Iowa Worth Fighting For” (www.aniowaworthfightingfor.com).
Despite his background in the Democratic party, Narcisse could draw much of his potential support from the right. Prior to the launch of An Iowa Worth Fighting For, Narcisse’s largest statewide media exposure came from his frequent radio appearances with Steve Deace, a religious-right host who is frequently at odds with moderates and liberals within the Republican Party leadership. Narcisse has also reached out to small-l libertarians, addressing Medical Students for Liberty, an offshoot of Ron Paul’s Campaign for Liberty at the University of Iowa Medical School (http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=29717).
Narcisse would be the only independent currently in the race if he does bolt from the Democrats. The Libertarian Party candidate in the race is Dr. Eric Cooper, an Iowa State University professor who has run several times for the state legislature as a Libertarian, who announced his candidacy in November (www.coopersmallergovernment.com).
I haven’t read up alot on Narcisse, but several people I know from the Ron Paul movement and the drug reform movement are pretty exited about him. When I listen to Narcisse on the radio, he often talks about government being too big and unaccountable. I’ve also heard him propose more use of referendums on controversial social issues which would dovetail with the religious right’s demand for a ballot initiative to end gay marriage. I was a little surprised when I first read his bio, I had previously assumed he was a Republican or independent conservative.
The “moderate” Republicans here, which is generally defined by their position on gay marriage are lined up behind the former Governor Terry Branstad who was brought out of mothballs last fall. The GOP primary will likely come down to a fight between Branstad and the religious right’s choice. But pretty much everyone has something to be upset about the incumbent government.
Probably geared more toward moderate or progressive independents than conservatives.
I can’t imagine that in the current political climate, an ex-Dem with an extensive resume in lobbying is going to get very far with conservatives, whether he calls himself an “Independent” or not.
Should be interesting…
State Rep. Christopher Rants
He’s named Rants? Awesome, LOL.
Thanks for publishing my report guys!
Narcisse has also been going out of his way to mix it up with several of the Republican candidates. He’s debated with State Rep. Christopher Rants and published an “open letter” claiming that religious-right favorite Bob Vander Plaats offered him a job in a potential administration. Vander Plaats for his part claims he merely asked for Narcisse’s endorsement.
It takes 2% in the Gov. race to qualify for automatic ballot access the next cycle. That seems pretty reachable with an incompetent, unpopular Dem incumbent and a potentially bloody GOP primary.