Governor Branstad has appointed two Republicans who were hard at work on the 2014 campaign trail to state government posts.
Jake Ketzner, Branstad’s 2014 campaign manager, also managed Steve King’s successful congressional campaign in 2012. Ketzner is now on Branstad’s statehouse staff, serving as legislative liaison. It means he’ll be the day-to-day point person in negotiations between the governor and legislators.
Adam Gregg, the man who had been Branstad’s legislative liaison, resigned last spring to run for attorney general. Gregg lost his race to incumbent Tom Miller and Branstad has now appointed Gregg to be the state’s public defender. Gregg will arrange legal representation for defendants who cannot afford to hire their own attorney.