Gov. Chet Culver

Gov. Chet Culver came to the defense of state economic development officials Thursday, praising their successes in creating jobs in the face of both a tough economy and “derogatory” remarks hurled their way by his Republican opponent in an increasingly nasty gubernatorial campaign.

“Your record of success has been impressive,” Culver told the state Economic Development Board and DED staff in ballyhooing an economic development record he said is “second to none in America” despite being “publicly bashed” by former Gov. Terry Branstad – Culver’s GOP challenger in the Nov. 2 election — as “dysfunctional and “scandal-ridden” during political speeches.

During his 17-minute pep talk, Culver distributed a brochure prepared by his office touting 10 positive measures of Iowa’s financial condition and praised their role in working with 279 companies that have agreed to invest $5.34 billion and create nearly 21,000 jobs in Iowa in the past three years.

The first-term governor — who is locked in a tough re-election fight — said his appearance at Thursday’s board meeting was intended to provide a morale boost by “lifting up” state employees and volunteer business professionals serving on various state economic development boards who have been tagged “a bunch of bureaucrats” by a former governor who served from 1983 to 1999.

“He’s saying derogatory things about public servants,” Culver said.

Economic Development Board Chairwoman Nancy Dunkel of Dubuque thanked the governor for his comments while noting the panel is made up of volunteers and is balanced by gender, political affiliation and region. She said it was “very unfortunate” for the 140 DED employees that they have become embroiled in a political issue.

“They do an excellent job,” Dunkel said. “Unfortunately, in today’s economy, the job has become much more serious and sometimes very sobering to see what’s going on.”

Rep. Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner, an ex-officio DED board member, said Thursday’s board meeting felt more like a political event when Culver made his appearance.

“That’s a first,” she said. “I’ve never seen this before when we’ve had campaigning at a board or commission table.”

Upmeyer said there is merit in Branstad’s proposal to revamp elements of the state’s business development efforts via more private-public partnerships which eventually could “get the state out of the business of picking winners and losers” via taxpayer-funded financial incentives to create or retain jobs.

“Gov. Branstad cares very much about economic development in this state, as well so ferreting out what’s not working and going forward with what is working and doing it in a little different way. I don’t think that jeopardizes any opportunity for economic development in this state,” Upmeyer said.

“There were clearly some issues and mistakes made here,” she added. “It’s unfortunate if board members feel they are being attacked. I don’t think that ever was the intent to attack board members.”

Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht said unemployment went down under Branstad’s watch and has gone up since Culver has been governor, which indicates Branstad is the “respected, successful manager” when it comes to job creation. He also denied that Branstad’s criticism of Culver’s management was “publicly bashing” DED board or staff members.

“That’s simply not the case,” Albrecht said. “For Culver to continue to engage in ugly, personal attacks is really unbecoming and unfortunate.”