The two men who’ve been battling to become Iowa’s next governor cast their own votes this morning.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle and his wife, Karen, voted just after eight o’clock in Manchester. “We’re really excited. I mean we’re certainly glad that Election Day is here,” Nussle told reporters outside his polling place. “It’s in the hands of the voters. We closed strong…and we think as a result of all the good volunteer activity that’s going on throughout the state today that we’re going to have a great Election Night.”

Nussle at this hour is in Des Moines, but he had other stops planned earlier today. “Start with a hair cut here in (Manchester),” Nussle said. “Linda Renfro has been cutting my hair for about 20 years now and it still keeps growing…then we’re going to make our way down…to a couple of stops…and then we’re going to make it to Des Moines this evening where we’re hopefully going to be having a great party.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver showed up at his West Des Moines polling site just after 9:30 with his wife, Mari, and their two small children. “It’s going to be a great day,” Culver told reporters after he cast his vote. “We’re going to work until nine o’clock this evening and make sure the vote gets out.”

Culver wouldn’t predict victory, or when the race for governor might be called tonight. “I think it’s important for everyone to be very patient on Election Day, not only in Iowa but across the nation,” Culver said. “I have a lot of confidence in the 99 county auditors out there to get the job done.”

(KMCH news director Janelle Tucker covered Nussle in Manchester.)