Tyler Olson
Despite a history of retaining its elected leaders for decades, even generations, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Tyler Olson believes Iowans are ready to move on and want a new generation of leadership capable of moving at the speed of change.
Olson, 37, who leads a fourth generation family business based in Cedar Rapids and has served in the Iowa House since 2007, formally kicked off his campaign for governor this morning by calling for leadership that can embrace and capitalize on the change that is shaping Iowa communities, the state and the world.
“Living at the end of the last 30 years with the same leadership as we had in the early 1980s is just not going to get the job done,” Olson told about 75 people who gathered in the warehouse of his family’s business, Paulson Electric.
Although there have been successes worth celebrating, Olson believes “Iowans ready to leave that in the past and begin the next 30 years.”
Before he starts on the next 30 years, Olson may have to win a Democratic primary in June 2014. Sen. Jack Hatch and former lawmaker Bob Krause, both of Des Moines, are looking at mounting gubernatorial campaigns, and Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, hasn’t ruled out running.
Without mentioning Gov. Terry Branstad, Olson repeatedly contrasted his approach to the 66-year-old five-term Republican. The contrast is about more than age, he insisted.
“This campaign is about more than personalities, more than positions. This is a discussion about where Iowa is headed,” he said.
The Branstad campaign suggested Olson’s future is in the past. Olson, according to the campaign, was “eager” to vote for former Democratic Gov. Chet Culver’s “big debt and spend plans” that would lead to bigger government and reckless spending.
Olson’s partisan politics couldn’t be further from Branstad’s record of working across the aisle, most recently to approve the largest tax cut in Iowa history, the largest investment in Iowa’s schools and policies to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation, a Branstad campaign spokesman said.
Although Branstad has a $2 million war chest to help get the message out to Iowans Olson was confident he will have the resources to “allow me to talk about my vision with Iowans across the state.”
While there have been success stories during Branstad’s tenure, Olson said Iowans are ready to turn the page.
“I really think we have come to a point where we have wrapped up some of the discussions we have been having over the last 30 years,” he said, “and really need now to decide how we’re going to move forward. I think a lot of Iowans are interested in looking to the future as opposed to what have we done in the past.”
Olson offered few specifics, but broadly called for growing Iowa’s economy by working with small businesses and entrepreneurs, and embracing technology “that mans people can start a business and work anywhere.” Broadband Internet access is no longer a “fringe benefit.”
At the same time, he wants to building on the state’s industrial and agricultural traditions by, among other things, taking advantage of consumers’ interest in being connected to the food they eat.
He’ll work to convince voters that it’s time for leaders recognize and understand the new dynamics.
Leaders “who understand the speed with which the world is changing, leadership that understands where the world is headed, where the economy is headed and can keep up with the rapid pace of change,” Olson said.
“And most importantly, a leader that understands the things it will take to make sure we take advantage of the huge opportunity in front of us,” he said.
For more on Olson, visit www. http://tylerolson.org/.
