Will Branstad Seek Iowa's Top Office Again?

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, speaks Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003, in Burlington, Iowa. Branstad was the keynote speaker at the 2003 United Way fund-raising campaign kickoff luncheon. (AP Photo/The Hawk Eye, John Lovretta)

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By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Sep 29, 2009 at 4:34 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 29, 2009 at 5:01 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - October is the month that former Governor Terry Branstad said he would decide if he'll run again for Iowa's top job.

Branstad served as Iowa Governor for 16 years until 1999. And last week a Rasmussen survey showed Branstad holding a 20 point lead in a head to head matchup right now with Governor Chet Culver.

Former lawmaker Sandy Greiner started the Draft Branstad Political Action Committee.

Greiner met with Branstad last week and told him thousands of Iowans are behind him.

But friends of the former governor say he is still weighing the risks of hurting his legacy if he lost the election.

"I wish I could tell you this, this and this but honestly I came away with as many questions in my mind as I had when I went in to the meeting. I think we're going to see an exciting announcement in October but that's just my gut instinct," said Sandy Greiner with the Draft Branstad PAC.

Greiner's political action committee that supports Branstad is now running radio ads, and is on Facebook and Twitter.

If Branstad decides to run, he'd join a crowded Republican race.

Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids and Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City have declared their candidacies.

State lawmakers Jerry Behn, Paul McKinley, Christopher Rants and Rod Roberts are considering joining the race.

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