Rich Leopold in 2018 IA Governor's race

On Drugs: Services for people still suffering with addiction

My passion outside public service is for people still suffering with addiction. For nearly 30 years I have volunteered inside treatment centers, jails, and prisons. My individual service is one of the things for which I am the most grateful in this life, and will continue when I am Governor.

I know the value of hard work. I have earned my place, working my way from humble beginnings through perseverance, education, and a dedication to my faith and my family. We cannot go forward with name-calling

Source: 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website RichLeopold.com Mar 15, 2017

On Energy & Oil: Supports strong wind industry in Iowa

Because our nation's economy is strong, Iowa's unemployment is down, but there are still too many unemployed or underemployed. How do you pass a "gas tax" for crumbling transportation infrastructure, & then lay-off state transportation workers the very next year?!

We need Iowa jobs. We need sustainable and good paying jobs that can't be outsourced, such as the strong wind industry in Iowa that I helped bring about.

And we need a plan. Iowa government seems to be running by the seat of their pants.

Source: 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website RichLeopold.com Mar 15, 2017

On Environment: Let's Go Outside: stewardship of Iowa's land, air, and water

Iowa has beautiful landscapes, lakes, rivers and streams. We should keep it that way! For two decades, Rich Leopold worked as a conservationist--the great outdoors was his "office." And when not at work, he's often found with his family out on the water, hiking in the woods or on the prairie, or exploring Iowa on his motorcycle. When he gets up every day, he would prefer to be outside.

Widely recognized as Iowa's leader on conservation, Rich Leopold was asked to come to the capital city, to lead of one of the most important agencies in state government. From 2007-2010, he directed the Department of Natural Resources. He led more than 1,100 people--and consistently balanced his $200 million budget--as a steward not only of Iowa's land, air, and water, but of taxpayer dollars.

To Rich, "Let's Go Outside" means many things: outside the ineffective political system, outside the current angry rhetoric, outside in the literal sense of enjoying our outdoors.

Source: 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website RichLeopold.com Mar 15, 2017

On Health Care: Our handling of mental illness & medical coverage is abysmal

There are dark clouds on Iowa's horizon because of poor executive management. Our handling of mental illness and medical coverage is abysmal, largely due to arrogant mismanagement by the executive branch. The Governor's inflammatory rhetoric and policies have divided our state between rural and urban Iowans, just when we need to be united. Source: 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website RichLeopold.com Mar 15, 2017

On Principles & Values: I'm a person of faith; I volunteer with faith-based groups

Everyone who runs for office should tell you their beliefs. I am a person who is sustained by the daily practice of faith. I grew up in the Lutheran church, and over the years we have raised our family in Iowa Lutheran congregations.

Being involved in my community and state are important also. There is never enough time, but I have served on boards and volunteered doing "grunt work" for dozens of non-profit, faith-based, youth-centered, and/or conservation organizations.

Source: 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website RichLeopold.com Mar 15, 2017

On Environment: Listen to rural voters while promoting clean water

With a theme of "Let's Go Outside," the former Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director who served under former governor Chet Culver is promising a "non-traditional" campaign which will focus on listening to rural voters while promoting clean water among other initiatives.

Leopold said, "I am a biologist by trade, but I've never run for elected office before," Leopold said. "I am not the typical 'anointed one' or senator. Now I am running for governor." However, Leopold did cite extensive government management experience. "I was director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources four years," he said. "I have led a lot of government agencies, so I am the 'insider-outsider' kind of guy." Leopold is now Polk County's Conservation Board Director. Leopold told reporters that Independents and "Teddy Roosevelt-type Republicans" will find his candidacy attractive.

Source: Marshalltown Times Republican on 2018 Iowa governor race Jan 8, 2017

The above quotations are from 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2018 Iowa Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Rich Leopold. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Aug 10, 2019