Lt. Gov. Gregg headline Jones Co. Republican Dinner

     The Jones County Republicans held their annual fall dinner and fundraiser on Oct. 26 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa. On hand as the main attraction of the evening was Iowa’s Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, who was just appointed to his new position in May 2017.

     Also recognized were Republican Jones County Supervisors Ned Rohwedder, Jon Zirkelbach, and Wayne Manternach.

     Iowa Republican Legislators who addressed the crowd included: Rep. Lee Hein, Rep. Andy McKean, and Sen. Dan Zumbach.

     Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett who is running for the June 2018 Primary for Iowa Governor also addressed the public.

     Members of the National Republican Central Committee, Tamera Scott and Steve Scheffler, also gave everyone an update on the happenings in D.C.

     Scott said Christians and conservatives wanted help in D.C. after four more years of Obama.

     “What does the Bible say about various issues?” asked Scott. “Because if it’s a political issue, it’s Biblical first.”

     She said in the days following the mass shooting in Las Vegas, it was the Republicans praying, and the Left preying.

     “They prey on your liberties, your fears,” continued Scott. “They come after your guns. The issue is not a gun in the hand; it’s the absence of God in the heart. That’s what we’re dealing with.”

     Scheffler admitted that some of the things President Trump is doing and how he goes about them have been “unconventional, but I love how he fights back against the unhinged far left people.”

     Corbett is planning to run against Gov. Kim Reynolds in the Primary.

     “Primaries are good because it gets the candidates out working a lot earlier,” said Corbett. “I remember four years ago, how beneficial the primary was to Joni Ernst. On the other side of the aisle was Bruce Braley. He didn’t have a primary and he was flat-footed and rusted. Ernst ended up using that Primary process to really win that election and today we call her Senator.”

     Corbett said Primaries are also a good thing for the political parties. “It generates some enthusiasm.”

     He said during the last Presidential Election, the Republican Caucus sites were packed with voters.

     Corbett is serving his eighth and final year as mayor of Cedar Rapids. He said he’s helped to bring the city and businesses back from the devastating 2008 flood.

     “I’ve been the mayor during some very challenging times in our community,” he said. “It’s good to get someone else in the mayor’s office and take a fresh look at moving Cedar Rapids forward.”

     Corbett has a history in politics back to his 20s when he helped Roger Jepson campaign for U.S. Senate.

     “Unfortunately he lost, but I was bitten by the political bug and I ran for office in 1986 and got elected (to the Iowa House of Representatives),” added Corbett. He serviced seven terms in Des Moines, before choosing to step away to help raise his family in Cedar Rapids.

     “I chose to become a father and I think most people would have made that choice,” concluded Corbett.

     Gregg started his speech off with a story that has meant so much to him all these years. When he was second grade, then-Gov. Branstad came to visit Gregg’s hometown, Hawarden. He hopped on his bike to the local public library to see Branstad speak, but ended up missing the entire speech. But as he was riding his bike into the library parking lot, the State Trooper vehicle stopped and Branstad exited the vehicle. Gregg then asked the Governor for his autograph.

     All these years later, and Gregg is now serving as Lieutenant Governor for Branstad’s own Lieutenant Governor (Kim Reynolds).

     “He (Branstad) couldn’t have known that his protégé would end up choosing that same little kid as her choice for Lieutenant Governor when he would have the very unlikely opportunity of being appointed as the Ambassador to China,” said Gregg.

     He said recalling that story from his childhood reminds him of the importance of kindness and the fact that God has a plan for everyone.

     Gregg said his favorite part about his new job is traveling to all 99 counties in Iowa. In his five months in office, he’s gotten to see businesses thriving across the state, businesses relocating to Iowa, and people getting to work.

     “The good news is that we have 3.2 percent unemployment,” shared Gregg. “Most economists would call that full employment.

     The challenge is finding people with the right skills to fill those positions; finding people period to fill those positions.”

     Gregg also noted many firsts for female Republicans from Iowa:

     • Reynolds if the first female governor in Iowa’s history.

     • Joni Ernst is Iowa’s first female elected at the federal level.

     • Linda Upmeyer is the first female Speaker of the House in Iowa.

     • Mary Mosiman is the first female State Auditor in Iowa.

     “Are you noticing a trend here?” asked Gregg. “Especially when we’re told there’s a war on women. I think we’re doing a pretty good job of having strong leaders step up to lead this state.”

     He said those values that conservatives stand for (hard work, personal responsibly, integrity, principle leadership, strong families, a limited government that protects our liberties, and a culture that values human life and a faith in God) are the same values both Reynolds and Gregg lead with in Iowa.

     “Your efforts are making a difference,” Gregg praised of the local, county parties. “This county is getting more red, but we still need your support in November 2018. We need to keep up that momentum.”