News
Congratulations to State Senator Brad Zaun for his solid victory last night. I will have to say that I will never doubt his campaign's internal polling ever again.
The keys to his victory, as I see it . . . Nobody out campaigns him, he works it. I remember shortly after he got into the race I received a phone call from him at home. He was the only candidate to call my house.
He's also just plain likable, and I've had numerous chances to interact with him even though I didn't get to interview him. He seems like a "regular guy," he was a small business owner (a small hardware store in Urbandale) and that resonated. He also has huge name recognition. Some Jim Gibbons said last night at his event that Zaun was "obviously very strong in Polk County." Zaun has been in politics for 20 years. He was the mayor of Urbandale, and was well liked in that role. He has also been a state senator. He had the advantage in name recognition.
The former Zaun's Trustworthy Hardware owner made more than 550 calls in the final two days of his campaign, and he scraped every last bit of volume left in his hoarse voice to delivery his victory speech.
"I think we need to send a hardware store owner to Washington, D.C.," he said.
State Sen. Brad Zaun of Urbandale handily won the 3rd District Republican primary Tuesday, in a race some thought would be decided at a convention.
Zaun will oppose U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, an Iowa Democrat, in November.
With most precincts reporting in the 12-county district, which includes Polk County, Zaun was far ahead in a field of seven Republicans vying for the nomination. Zaun needed to collect more than 35 percent of the vote to avoid having the race decided at a convention. Some political activists last week had viewed the race as too close to call.
"Brad Zaun is exactly what we need in Washington. His experience as a mainstreet small business owner coupled with his common sense conservative values is what we need more of in Washington. I'm honored to support Brad in the upcoming Republican primary," said McKinley.
McKinley continued, "With Brad Zaun you know what you get. He's honest; you can trust him and know he'll keep his word. I strongly encourage the people of the 3rd District to support Brad, not only because he represents our values, but because he's the best chance we have to defeat Congressman Boswell this fall."
Zaun welcomed Senator McKinley's support. "Paul is a friend and a good man . . .
"Brad Zaun is exactly what we need in Washington. His experience as a mainstreet small business owner coupled with his common sense conservative values is what we need more of in Washington. I'm honored to support Brad in the upcoming Republican primary," said McKinley.
McKinley continued, "With Brad Zaun you know what you get. He's honest; you can trust him and know he'll keep his word. I strongly encourage the people of the 3rd District to support Brad, not only because he represents our values, but because he's the best chance we have to defeat Congressman Boswell this fall."
Zaun welcomed Senator McKinley's support. "Paul is a friend and a good man . . .
State Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, called on 3rd District Rep. Leonard Boswell to denounce the "self-executing rule" being discussed in the U.S. House. According to news reports, the U.S. House is considering using the rule to allow Boswell and other representatives would be able to vote on the health-care bill without really voting on the plan.
"For members of Congress to want to hide behind a procedural vote should speak volumes about how toxic and misguided the current health care bill is," Zaun said. I'm asking Rep. Boswell to step up, denounce this tactic and call for an up or down vote."
DES MOINES - The Iowa Senate turned back a proposal Wednesday that sought to sell or lease the Iowa Communications Network statewide fiber-optics system.
Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, offered an amendment to a bill dealing with ICN upgrades that would have called for the state to seek bids by July 1 from private vendors that would be interested in owning or leasing the statewide network.
"This is outdated technology," said Zaun, before senators voted 19-29 to reject the idea. Sen. Dennis Black, D-Grinnell, was the only Democrat favoring the idea.
The vote came one day after the Senate . .
Brad Zaun is running for the Republican nomination to challenge 3rd District Democratic Rep. Leonard Boswell because he doesn't like what he's seeing in Washington, D.C.
"I can't take it anymore, what's going on in Washington, D.C.," Zaun said in a campaign stop at Smokey Row Saturday morning. . . .
State Sen. Brad Zaun's congressional campaign has a poll that shows the Urbandale Republican favored in the five-way GOP primary for the 3rd Congressional District.
According to the poll by Davenport-based Victory Enterprises, Zaun has the support of 26 percent of likely GOP primary voters in the district which includes Polk and 11 other southern and east-central Iowa counties.
Brad Zaun is fed up with the Fed.
The Iowa state senator from Urbandale had considered running for U.S. Congress in the past, but he finally reached his tipping point this time around following what he sees as out-of-control spending out of Washington authored by politicians who won't listen to their constituents.
"I just cannot take it anymore. I don't think that Leonard (Boswell) or most people in Washington D.C., regardless of party, are listening to us the people," he said. "You have to live within your means, and they're not doing that in Washington D.C., and that's very frustrating to me."
Brad Zaun got what he wanted for Christmas Monday night... Enthusiastic friends, devoted family and curious constituents packed into Christopher's Restaurant to spark his 2010 campaign for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District to the next level. The open guest list even included his kindergarten teacher from Howe Elementary School cheering him on.
Zaun, a state senator and assistant minority leader, paid tribute in a heartfelt thanks to his parents in opening remarks of a brief speech. There wasn't a person there of the 150, (braving low temps and missing the Bears upset the Vikings on Monday Night Football) who was not convinced . . .
State Senator Brad Zaun announced the launching of his official campaign website, www.BradZaun.com .
"The website is the central communications tool for many, if not most, people these days. Our site will allow us to stay in close contact with supporters, build relationships with undecided voters, as well as informing all Iowans where I stand on the issues most important to them," said Zaun.
"To inform the everyday conversation of the people of the Third Congressional District . . .
Health Care Special Provisions Appalling
(Urbandale, IA) State Senator Brad Zaun calls upon Rep. Leonard Boswell (D) to act immediately to defend Iowa from the special interest provisions carved out by the cloakroom antics of Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (D) and the Democrat leadership of the Senate during the recent health care legislation debate.
Particularly appalling was the language in the bill forcing the balance of the nation to pay . . .
Remember your roots.
It was the final piece of advice that two south-side Des Moines parents gave their son when he became a politician.
State Sen. Brad Zaun kicked off his campaign for Congress in Iowa's 3rd District Thursday.
Zaun is a Republican from Urbandale. He highlighted his experience as a legislator, small-business owner and former mayor in his announcement speech. Zaun, 47, said a growing national deficit inspired to run. "We need to fix this because what's going to happen is these young people here and all of us in this room are going to be paying for this irresponsibility that's going on in Washington, D.C.," Zaun said.