Strawn lays groundwork for 2010 election

From today's Fort Dodge Messenger:

"If you would have told me three months ago that I'd be standing before you tonight and the chair of the Republican Party, I honestly would have told you, you were crazy," said Matt Strawn, newly elected chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, before a meeting of Webster County Republicans Tuesday night.

Strawn, 35, born and raised in Ankeny, possesses a substantial political resume despite his relatively young age. After more than a decade in Washington serving as communications director for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and then chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., Strawn returned to Iowa to become the owner and principal of the Iowa Barnstormers Arena Football Club.

After repeated questioning from friends and associates on why he didn't run for office, he finally did make a run, and was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa on Jan. 10.

"I didn't want to be one of those guys who just sits on the sidelines and complains," said Strawn.

Tuesday night, he responded to many Webster County Republicans' questions about the future and policies of the party, with many members of the audience explaining their anxiety with the Democratic majority on the state and national levels.

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