Fallon Formally Announces Run For Governor

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050410/NEWS09/504100337/1056

Sporting an uncharacteristic necktie, state Rep. Ed Fallon on Saturday became the first Democrat to formally announce his campaign for governor, promising to make ridding Iowa politics of special-interest money the top issue.

"I'm running for governor because I'm tired of seeing a handful of big corporations and wealthy special interests get tax breaks and handouts, while the interests important to you and me are neglected," the Des Moines lawmaker told more than 400 supporters at the Iowa Capitol.

Curtailing campaign contributions from corporations and lobbying groups is the linchpin to reforms that wealthy lobbying groups have prevented, Fallon said.

everytime I hear something about him. I think he progressive message is what is needed in this state and in the country.

http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=53D3F534-C1CC-4BF2-994174F411C1501A

Ed Fallon Makes His Run for Governor of Iowa Official
by O. Kay Henderson, Radio Iowa

The Des Moines legislator becomes the first candidate to officially declare he's running for governor.

Representative Ed Fallon, a Democrat from Des Moines, has served in the Iowa House for a little over 12 years, and on Saturday he made his aspirations for higher office official.

Fallon said election reform is a top priority. He also promised to develop his own health care reform plan and to enact tougher measures to restrict urban sprawl.

Fallon will refuse all contributions from Political Action Committees - PACs - and from lobbyists. He will also limit donations from individuals to 50 dollars per individual per month.

Fallon lists reform of the election system as his number one goal, to limit the influence of what he calls "powerful, entrenched" special interest groups. "I'm running for governor because I'm tired of seeing a handful of big corporations and wealthy, special interests get tax breaks and hand-outs while the issues important to you and me are neglected," Fallon said. "It's time for rank-and-file Iowans to have our concerns addressed, concerns about clean elections, about education, health care, decent jobs, livable wages, agriculture, the environment and a tax structure that is fair and progressive - and that's the short list."

Fallon promised to be a voice for all Iowans, including new Iowans, and he made a special pitch. Twice during his speech, Fallon spoke in Spanish to say he's seeking a "united Iowa."

Fallon said he'll release his health care reform ideas later this year. "I'm tired of waiting for the federal government," Fallon said. "The bottom line is this: our commonwealth depends on our common health."

Fallon has long sought ways to limit "urban sprawl" and Fallon promises that if he's elected governor, he'll try to enact land use restrictions to ensure prime farmland isn't covered by concrete.

Fallon held a rally in the statehouse to kick-off his campaign, and about four-hundred supporters were there, including Carter Woodruff of Des Moines, one of Fallon's friends who spoke to the crowd. Woodruff said Fallon is different from other politicians because he isn't "bought and paid for by rich, special interests" but speaks his own mind. Woodruff praised Fallon for endorsing Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader in 2000 rather than Al Gore, the nominee of Fallon's own Democratic party.

Mark Johns of Davenport, a member of the musicians union in the Quad Cities, described himself as a conservative Republican who'll be backing Fallon's campaign. "The one thing that has impressed me about Ed is he's a man of his word," Johns said.

He's really starting to impress me.

I don't want to put it in the hands of Fallon. He is a great person, but not what I want for Iowa. I want a politican who is not scared of growing Des Moines and our metro areas. Fallon would be good for small town, rural Iowa, but they vote Republican anyway. His policies, in my opinion, are not good for continued growth of our metropolitan areas.

Fallon is probably too progressive for rural Iowa, but he could (and does) do well in Des Moines. I am not sure how electable he is, but I am very glad that he is in the race for the nomination. I hope the primary season for the Democrats is contended and loud, with lots of publicity.

And not all of them have a direct relationship with Des Moines. I'd like to see someone who cares about the rural and metropolitan areas (regarding both business and quality of life issues)

I do worry though, will Fallon be able to raise the money?

said he will take only personal money, no more than $50/mo. or $600/year per person. While I admire that idealism and like Fallon's positions I think this decision may be cutting his own throat. I will contribute, but I am afraid that Culver can crank up a pretty good money machine.
Dave Franker did something similar and it sure didn't help in his david/goliath struggle with Leach.

and I heard Nussle already has $2mil in the bank.

Campaign finance is honorable, but only if everyone does it. Not taking $$ while your opponents rake it in only helps your opponents.

Watch the press scramble at reporting time, they don't run stories that say "Joe Blow only has $20,000 but he's not taking any PAC money and limiting contributions so that's okay" Their stories read "Big money = Big winner"