DES MOINES – The board of The FAMiLY Leader announced today its unanimous endorsement of Adam Steen for governor of Iowa, citing his commitment to faith, family, freedom, and responsible leadership as reasons he is best positioned to continue the progress made under Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“Our board has made a unanimous and enthusiastic decision to endorse Adam Steen because Adam is really one of us. He comes from us, not to us,” The FAMiLY Leader’s board chair Dennis Hansen said in a prepared statement. “Adam is prepared to lead Iowa with integrity and vision. We’re proud to stand with him and encourage Iowans across the state to support his campaign for governor.”
Speaking at a Statehouse news conference, TFL president and CEO Bob Vander Plaats said the organization closely evaluated the field of candidates before reaching its decision, adding, “We respect every candidate in this race and will support whoever ultimately becomes the nominee, but after carefully reviewing the field, we believe the best person to grab the baton from Kim Reynolds, keep Iowa moving forward and take it to the next level is Adam Steen.”
Vander Plaats emphasized the importance of nominating a candidate who can defeat Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand in the general election. “Iowa doesn’t change governors very often, which makes this one of the biggest decisions our state will make in the next decade,” Vander Plaats said. “If we want to keep Iowa moving forward – which has been Gov. Kim Reynolds’ guiding principle – we need to choose carefully and choose well.”
He continued, “Rob Sand may talk a good nonpartisan, ‘all-Iowa’ game, but his policies are recklessly progressive and would move Iowa backwards. We are one state away from becoming Minnesota or Illinois, and we don’t want Iowa going in that direction,” Vander Plaats said. “A member of Congress is the type of candidate Rob Sand wants to run against. History shows that’s not the path to victory for Republicans in Iowa.”
Vander Plaats also pointed to Steen’s five-year stint as director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, where the Iowa Senate re-confirmed him unanimously. “That bipartisan confirmation speaks to Adam’s competence and credibility,” he said. “Adam also understands the inner workings of state government better than other candidates. He can –and will – be ready to govern on day one.”
Vice president and chief counsel Chuck Hurley said The FAMiLY Leader has a strong history when it engages in statewide races. “Our base has also played a decisive role in the historic removal of three Iowa Supreme Court justices and in key primary races in recent years. When our supporters engage, they make historic things happen.”
Hurley said the value of The FAMiLY Leader endorsement “begins with three words – organization, organization, organization.” He added, “We’re going to inform our base and mobilize as much of our network as possible to engage in this governor’s primary.”
State Rep. Jon Dunwell, The FAMiLY Leader’s director of outreach and engagement, noted the organization’s successful involvement in six 2022 GOP primaries helped shape the policy environment that allowed Reynolds to win passage of education savings accounts and expanded school choice.
Dunwell said the group’s statewide network will help amplify the endorsement. “It’s an exponential factor,” he said. “The FAMiLY Leader is a statewide network supported by influencers, activists, donors, and thousands of Christians. We aim to optimize and fully engage this network in the governor’s primary.”
Visit www.TheFAMiLYLeader.com for more information about The FAMiLY Leader and its mission.
