Stephen Burgmeier receives Republican nomination in Special Election

Republican Party of Iowa FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
Contact: Danielle Plogmann July 23, 2009
319.290.4185



Des Moines, IA – Republican Party of Iowa State Chairman Matt Strawn tonight welcomed Stephen Burgmeier as the Republican candidate in the Special Election to fill the vacancy in Iowa House District 90. Strawn said, “Stephen Burgmeier is an outstanding candidate and my pledge as State Party Chairman to him is that we are in it to win it.

“This is clearly a lean Democrat district and presents a big challenge for Iowa Republicans. President Obama carried it by nearly 1,400 votes and Democrats hold an advantage in voter registration. However, we are going to carry the fight and the Republican message to all corners of Iowa and a victory here begins the process of bringing fiscal sanity back to our state, giving Iowans the opportunity to vote on marriage, and recognizing that private individuals, not more debt spending by the state, creates jobs in Iowa,” said Strawn.

The Special Election in Iowa House District 90 will be held on September 1, 2009 and was made necessary by the resignation of John Whitaker (D-Hillsboro) to accept a position with the federal government. The District contains all of Van Buren County and significant portions of both Jefferson and Wapello Counties.

“Anyone who knows Stephen Burgmeier understands how hard he works for the people of Jefferson County. I know he will continue that commitment as the state representative for the people of Wapello, Jefferson and Van Buren Counties,” said House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen. “The House Republican caucus looks forward to a successful election and welcoming him to our ranks in September.”

Burgmeier received the Republican nomination for this seat at a Special Nominating Convention held tonight in Fairfield and will begin his campaign immediately.

He and his wife, Betty, reside in Lockridge and are partners in the Hooter Lane Farms sow farm, and farm over 300 acres of land. Burgmeier is a three time elected Jefferson County Supervisor, currently serving as chairman, a past district director of the Iowa Pork Producers, an appointed delegate of the Pork Act boards, and a Jefferson County Farm Bureau board member.

Strawn concluded, “Stephen Burgmeier and his campaign will have the full and active support of the Republican Party of Iowa and I expect Republicans from all across the state will travel to this pivotal district and provide statewide support for this important election. Republicans are ready to work and ready to win.”




###


Paid for by the Republican Party of Iowa and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
621 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50309
www.iowagop.org

RPI Chairman Strawn Calls for Immediate Resignation of Rep. Kerry Burt

Republican Party of Iowa FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
Contact: Jeff Boeyink July 17, 2009
515.864.6800

Des Moines, IA– Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today said that recent revelations that State Representative Kerry Burt repeatedly used a false address to avoid paying tens of thousands of dollars to the Malcolm Price Laboratory School calls into question Representative Burt’s fitness for office and called on him to resign immediately.

“Iowans have every right to hold our elected officials to a high standard and to hold them accountable when they fall short,” said Strawn. “As such, I call upon Representative Burt to immediately resign from the Iowa House of Representatives and repay the $37,139 in tuition fees that, through his actions, he attempted to evade.”

The thorough 51-page investigation by the Office of State Auditor indicates a series of contradictory and incriminating statements by Representative Burt when questioned by DCI investigators.

“The facts of the investigation are clear,” said Strawn. “One, multiple witnesses confirm that Representative Burt, or his children, never resided at the address provided to school officials. Two, witnesses describe a deliberate attempt to have U.S. Mail delivered to Representative Burt at the false address. Three, Representative Burt’s claims of having sought open enrollment applications were refuted by both the official records and a representative of the Waterloo School District.

“While Representative Burt was not the only individual found to have “gamed” the system in this manner, he is the only individual involved who serves in the Iowa Legislature and has been entrusted by the voters to act on their behalf at the State Capitol.

“Representative Burt’s blatant effort to mislead school officials and secure benefits to which he was not entitled clearly indicates a lack of respect for the very laws to which he has been elected to provide oversight. Waterloo residents deserve a State Representative who acts with the integrity and respect for the law that we rightfully expect from our elected leaders,” concluded Strawn.

# # #

Facts from Auditor Vaudt’s July 16, 2009 Special Investigation:

1. Representative Burt repeatedly registered his children at an address that was not his or their actual residence.
2. The address at which his children were registered is within the zone for the Malcolm Price Laboratory School (the School).
3. The address at which the children actually reside is located outside of the zone and, thus, attendance at the School would have required significant tuition payments not required for those in the zone.
4. The difference between the fees Rep. Burt should have paid, given the children’s actual residence, and what he did pay is $37,139.


Paid for by the Republican Party of Iowa and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
621 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50309
www.iowagop.org