Council Bluffs, Iowa – Councilman Matt Schultz announced today that Paul Pate, former Secretary of State, has endorsed his campaign and accepted the position of State Chair.

Paul Pate, a successful small businessman from Cedar Rapids who is a former State Senator, Iowa Secretary of State, Mayor of Cedar Rapids and President of the Iowa League of Cities, pointed to elected experience in city government, knowledge of the issues and a youthful fire in the belly as reasons for his support of Matt Schultz.

“As the former chief commissioner of elections, I know too well the importance of having a watchdog over our election process to guarantee that they are both clean and fair. Matt Schultz has demonstrated to me that he is indeed the man to do just that,” said Pate.

“I am deeply honored to have the support of Paul Pate. His service as Secretary of State brings the experience to our campaign to not only win in June, but to defeat Michael Mauro and the Democratic machine in November. Paul Pate set the standard for the way elections should be overseen in Iowa, a sharp contrast to the Culver and Mauro administrations. When I’m elected Secretary of State I want to build on Paul Pate’s accomplishments and work to stop voter fraud,” said Schultz.

Paul Pate will be chairing the Schultz campaign which already includes a strong legislative team of elected officials across the state.

Matt Schultz is serving his second term as a city councilman in Council Bluffs. Matt graduated from the University of Iowa with honors and a degree in political science and obtained his law degree at Creighton University. Matt is involved in his community and is an eagle scout. Matt is married to his wife Zola, and they have three children.