By Jennifer Jacobs
The Des Moines Register

Iowa’s top elections official, a Democrat, said he isn’t certain he’ll win re-election in November, given a political atmosphere that seems to favor Republicans.

“I think this election’s a 50-50 shot,” Secretary of State Michael Mauro said in an interview Monday. “I mean, I’m hoping. I pick the paper up and read the polls like everybody else does. I get concerned. I’m hoping things’ll straighten out.”

Read the full story here – Source: www.desmoinesregister.com

“I have been to several Tea Party events over the last year and I thought that Glenn Beck’s Honor Rally would be similar to these events and I wanted to see it firsthand. It was not at all what I expected it to be, but I was not disappointed. I came away from the Honor Rally with a greater respect for the sacrifice that so many people have made and continue to make so that we can be free,” said Schultz.

“I was standing the entire time next to the reflection pool on the side of the Vietnam War Memorial. It was an amazing sight. I had never seen so many people in my entire life. Everyone seemed excited and there was a lot of clapping and cheering during the event. The crowd surrounded the Lincoln Memorial and spanned all the way to the Washington Monument and beyond,” said Schultz.

“I think that Glenn Beck was trying to share a message that transcends political parties and churches. It was a message of principles and of God. The main point I took away was that if we as individuals and as a Nation make a renewed effort to focus on the principles of Faith, Hope, and Charity, that no matter what our political and religious disagreements, God will bless us individually and as a Nation,” said Schultz.

Matt Schultz was first elected to the Council Bluffs City Council in 2005 and is in his second term. Matt Schultz won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State in a three way primary in June. He is a graduate of Creighton Law School and the University of Iowa. Matt is married with three children and is an Attorney at the law firm of Schultz & Watson, LLP.

Source: Omaha World-Herald – Read the full article here

Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn said, “I encourage all Iowans to stop by and talk with our candidates, to hear their principled solutions for moving this state forward. We’ll also have absentee ballot requests for Iowans ready to send a message that we need principled, conservative government here in Iowa.”

Chairman Strawn issued this video invitation to Iowans:

In addition to meeting fellow Republicans, Iowans have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the sold-out Iowa-Iowa State football game. The theme for this year’s fair is “non-stop fun” and what can be more fun than the traditional in-state rivalry? People can enter to win by texting the word “Cyclones” or “Hawkeyes” (whichever team you plan to root for) to 41513, or enter at the booth. A random winner will be chosen at the conclusion of the Fair.

The Iowa GOP booth will be in its traditional location along the North wall of the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building.

Below is the current schedule of appearances by GOP candidates, office-holders and national leaders. Please note this is a preliminary schedule. Other appearances will be added during the fair.

Thursday, Aug. 12 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt

Friday, Aug. 13 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt

Friday, Aug. 13 – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Former Gov. Terry Branstad

Friday, Aug. 13 – Noon to 2 p.m. – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

Friday, Aug. 13 – 2:30 p.m. – Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 2nd CD nominee

Friday, Aug. 13 – 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Matt Schultz, Secretary of State nominee

Friday, Aug. 13 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Dave Jamison, State Treasurer nominee

Saturday, Aug. 14 – 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Congressman Steve King, 5th CD

Saturday, Aug. 14 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt

Saturday, Aug. 14 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Matt Schultz, Secretary of State nominee

Saturday, Aug. 14 – 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Brad Zaun, 3rd CD nominee

Sunday, Aug. 15 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt

Sunday, Aug. 15 – 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Brad Zaun, 3rd CD nominee

Monday, Aug. 16 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – State Auditor David Vaudt

Monday, Aug. 16 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Ben Lange, 1st CD nominee

Tuesday, Aug. 17 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. State Auditor David Vaudt

Wednesday, Aug. 18 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. State Auditor David Vaudt

Wednesday, Aug. 18 10:30 a.m. Congressman Tom Latham, 4th CD

Wednesday, Aug. 18 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Matt Schultz, Secretary of State nominee

Wednesday, Aug. 18 3 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum

Wednesday, Aug. 18 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Dave Jamison, State Treasurer nominee

Thursday, Aug. 19 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Brenna Findley, Iowa Attorney General nominee

Thursday, Aug. 19 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn

Thursday, Aug. 19 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Brad Zaun, 3rd CD nominee

Friday, Aug. 20 Noon – 2 p.m. Dave Jamison, State Treasurer nominee

Source: Omaha World-Herald - Read the full story here

“This is another example of a career politician spinning the numbers thinking Iowans won’t notice,” said Councilman Matt Schultz.  “Mauro claims spending is down but in actuality it is up 11% since he took office in 2007 and would be up 21% if the Governor had not passed his across the board cut of 10% last year.  Iowans know that $3,523,569.00 is more than $3,164,839.00,” said Schultz.

The report is also misleading because Mauro fails to take into consideration the biennial reports that are filed only in even years.  To be accurate Mauro must compare the year 2007 to 2009 and the year 2008 to 2010.  This shows that revenue is down for 2009 and 2010.

“This clearly shows how the Secretary of State has failed to show leadership and fight for business in Iowa.  Mauro fails to understand that when businesses leave Iowa business filings drop and so does revenue.  Iowa needs a Secretary of State who will be an advocate for jobs and business, and not dig in and put his head in the sand,” said Schultz.

Councilman Schultz further said, “When I am elected Secretary of State I am going to be a pro jobs Secretary of State.  I will fight for jobs and business. I won’t ignore the role the Secretary of State plays in business.”

Matt Schultz was first elected to the Council Bluffs City Council in 2005 and is in his second term.  Matt Schultz won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State in a three way primary in June.  He is a graduate of Creighton Law School and the University of Iowa.  Matt is married with three children and is an Attorney at the law firm of Schultz & Watson, LLP.

“These numbers are encouraging, but it won’t change what I’m doing.  I have always campaigned as if I am 20 points behind, and I won’t stop working hard.”

The poll commissioned by TheIowaRepublican and Concordia Group LLC shows Schultz leading Mauro 33% to 30% with 35% undecided.

The poll was conducted by Voter Consumer Research, a highly respected polling firm based in Washington D.C.  All interviews were conducted live via telephone between July 25th and July 28th. The general election poll has a sample size of 500, and a margin of error of 4.39%.

“This campaign is about real issues and what’s right and wrong.  My opponent supports giving felons the right to vote and is against requiring a photo ID when we vote at the polls.  While voter fraud continues to threaten the security of our elections, Mauro is more interested in protecting his salary.  Iowans want leadership and are tired of career politicians who are out of touch,” Schultz said.

Matt Schultz is a Council Bluffs City Councilman and is married with three children.

Political newcomer Matt Schultz leads incumbent Secretary of State Mike Mauro in TheIowaRepublican.com Battleground Poll. Schultz leads Mauro 33% to 30%, but the poll also shows that 35% of those surveyed have not made up their minds about the race.

Schultz told TheIowaRepublican.com, “These numbers are encouraging, but it won’t change what I’m doing. I have always campaigned as if I am 20 points behind, and I won’t stop working hard.”

Schultz’ surprising strength in the poll can be attributed to Mauro’s obscurity across the state. As a first term incumbent, Mauro hasn’t built the name ID that Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald have during their three decades in office. On top of that, Mauro has done very little since being elected in 2006 to introduce himself to voters outside of Polk County.

When you look at the break down of the polling results by congressional district, Schultz beats Mauro in three of the five districts. He beats Mauro in the 1st, 4th, and 5th congressional districts, while Mauro wins in the 2nd and 3rd districts. Democrats have a strong voter registration advantage in areas where Mauro is the strongest. Mauro also served as the Polk County Auditor for nine years before being elected Secretary of State, so one would expect him to do well in the 3rd District.

Read full story here – Source: www.theiowarepublican.com

Santorum has indicated an interest in running for president in 2012. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will also be in Iowa this weekend. Iowa Politics Insider has his schedule.

Here’s Santorum’s schedule:

Monday, Aug. 16

Noon: Attend a luncheon for Secretary of State candidate Matt Schultz in Council Bluffs.

5:30 p.m.: Join Rep. Steve King at an event for King’s Political Action Committee, Conservative Principles, in Sioux City.

Read full story here – Source: www.desmoinesregister.com

Matt Schultz, the Republican candidate for Secretary of State, turns 31 years old today. If elected this fall, Matt would be the youngest person in the state’s history to hold that office. Matt is an outstanding candidate who is out there campaigning hard to earn the support of all Iowans.

I’m excited about his campaign because unlike our current Secretary of State, Matt is actually talking about things that would make our elections safe and secure. Asking a voter to produce a photo ID when they go to the polls seems like a common sense thing to do. Unfortunately, Secretary of State Mauro thinks implementing this simple procedure is unnecessary.

Read full story here – Source: www.theiowarepublican.com