Former Iowa Governor Robert Ray endorsed Terry Branstad’s bid for a fifth term as governor late this afternoon.
Ray gave a brief speech at Branstad’s campaign headquarters in Urbandale, praising Branstad’s focus on job creation. “You are on your way to success, which helps all of us have more success, too,” Ray said to conclude his remarks.
Ray was Iowa’s governor for 14 years. He was succeeded Branstad, who served for 16 years. Branstad praised Ray, saying he made politics “fun” during his years as the party’s top elected official. “Governor Ray was elected governor the year I became old enough to vote,” Branstad said, and the crowd at Branstad’s campaign headquarters laughed. “I was his third lieutenant governor and I learned a lot from watching the way Bob Ray handled the job of chief executive for the State of Iowa.”
The crowd cheered and clapped just before Ray began speaking, prompting Ray to joke a bit. “Save that for our candidate. Golly, if I’d have known I’d get that kind of applause, I might have run again,” Ray said, to laughter, before he added: “We have the right person doing that.”
Ray, who is now 81 years old, went on to become an insurance company executive after he left office. He also served as interim president of Drake University and he was interim mayor of the City of Des Moines.
Click on the following audio link to listen to this afternoon’s event: RayEndorses