Vander Plaats wins Johnson endorsement

Outgoing State Auditor Richard Johnson has endorsed one of the republicans who’s running for Governor. Johnson says Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City has the ideas that’ll make him a good chief executive. Johnson says after looking at all the candidates, he’s decided Vander Plaats is the best. He says it’s time for new leadership in the Governor’s office.Johnson endorsed republican gubernatorial candidate Fred Grandy back in 1994 when Grandy narrowly lost to incumbent Terry Branstad, and Johnson starred in some Grandy campaign commercials. Johnson says this time around, he believes Vander Plaats has the right problem-solving skills.Vander Plaats says he’s long admired Johnson’s role as a “watchdog” of the taxpayers’ money.Johnson has been Iowa’s Auditor for the past 24 years and is not running for re-election. Johnson abandoned his own campaign for Congress last month.