Democrat Governor Chet Culver says the departure of a campaign manager is not that uncommon in politics. Three months ago Culver hired Andrew Roos to manage his 2010 campaign. Yesterday, Roos announced he was resigning.
“He just made a decision to move on and I wish him all the luck,” Culver told a group of reporters this morning.
Culver’s job approval rating has dropped this fall and a recent Des Moines Register “Iowa Poll” found Culver would have lost to former Republican Governor Terry Branstad if the election had been held last month. Culver laughed this morning when a reporter asked him if his 2010 reelection effort was a “sinking ship.”
“Look, it’s very common — whether private sector or public sector, campaigns — to have a change in personnel,” Culver said. “This is much to do about nothing. Teresa Vilmain is one of the best, most respected political advisors in the nation. She’s on the team.”
Vilmain was an advisor to former Governor Tom Vilsack’s campaigns, including his brief race for president. Vilmain then served as Hillary Clinton’s Iowa campaign manager in the lead-up to the 2008 Iowa Caucuses.
Culver has a half dozen workers on his 2010 campaign payroll. An assistant campaign manager who was hired at the same time the now-departed Roos was hired will serve as interim campaign manager until a permanent replacement is on board.
“There will be no noticeable difference and we’re moving forward,” Culver said this morning. “We’re very excited. We’re having a great year in terms of fundraising, especially.”
Culver raised over a million dollars in campaign funds in 2007 and by the end of 2008 records filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board indicate Culver had about $1.5 million dollars cash on hand. Documents outlining his 2009 fundraising are due in January.