The republican candidate for Governor says he wants a “full-throated debate” with democrat Tom Vilsack between now and the general election. Doug Gross won the republican nomination for governor with 36 percent of the vote. His two rivals garnered 64 percent, but Gross discounts the idea he needs to mend fences with two-thirds of the party faithful.Gross says 100 percent of republicans want a new Governor as evidenced by the high turnout among republicans.Gross, who describes himself as a policy wonk, hints at a tough campaign against Vilsack. He says Vilsack attack him with an unprecedented media attack in the last five days of the campaign. Gross says he plans on laying out an aggressive explanation of how the governor has failed to lead.Gross’ primary opponents and Governor Vilsack attacked Gross’ record as a lawyer and lobbyist, particularly his work on behalf of large-scale hog operations. Gross says he’s happy to discuss his past, but wants to focus on his ideas for the future. Gross says he’s represented people of all persuasions are required by his job. Gross says he understands agriculture because of his past representation of many people in the industry.Gross says he slept for an hour and got up at 4:15 to go running. At mid-day, he hopped on a plane at mid-day to fly to seven Iowa cities to meet with the media. Governor Tom Vilsack is officially launching his re-election campaign today.
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