Republican Gov. Branstad Leads in Bid for Reelection to 6th Term

For U.S. Senate, Democrat Braley Leads Field, as Ernst Rallies in GOP Primary

BOSTON - With the January 2016 Iowa presidential caucuses on the horizon, Hillary Clinton is the far-and-away favorite among self-described Democratic caucus-goers, according to a Suffolk University statewide Iowa poll. And while some Republicans have begun visiting the Hawkeye State, the survey shows no favorites among prospective GOP presidential candidates.

Meanwhile, the Suffolk University poll of likely general-election Iowa voters shows Republican Gov. Terry Branstad with a strong advantage heading into the June 3 Republican gubernatorial primary, and he leads the sole Democrat in the race, State Sen. Jack Hatch, by 10 points in a general-election match-up. Branstad, the longest serving governor in U.S. history, is seeking his sixth four-year term.

In the race for U.S. Senate, Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley leads all five potential Republican opponents by between 6 and 13 points.

2016 presidential caucuses

A subset of self-described Iowa caucus goers were asked their first choice for their party's nomination for president, 63 percent of Democrats indicated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 12 percent chose Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and 10 percent favored Vice President Joe Biden.

The picture was much cloudier on the Republican side, with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at 11 percent, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (10 percent each), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and medical professor emeritus Ben Carson (9 percent each), and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (7 percent). Six others had 6 percent each: Congressman and 2012 vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), former Alaska Gov. and 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), former Sen. Rick Santorum, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Gubernatorial race

Branstad led Republican Tom Hoefling 71 percent to 8 percent with 19 percent undecided in the primary race. A general-election matchup shows him ahead of Hatch 42 percent to 32 percent, with 24 percent undecided.

"Although his ballot test number is under fifty percent, Republican Governor Terry Branstad's overwhelming support in the northwest counties as well as his comfortable lead among independents statewide is significant," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center in Boston. "However, over a third of independents are undecided, so the race is fluid."

Republicans aren't faring as well in the U.S. Senate race, though the race is much closer. Braley's lead over his Republican opponents is buoyed by wide positive margins in his home northeast area as well as in the central counties, including Polk.

In the smaller subset of June Republican Primary voters, State Sen. Joni Ernst, who has been tagged the "castration candidate" due to her TV ad that includes a matter-of-fact reference to growing up on an Iowa hog farm, is leading businessman Mark Jacobs 25 percent to 23 percent. Radio show host Sam Clovis (7 percent), former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker (4 percent), and Navy veteran Scott Schaben (1 percent) trail the front-runners, while 40 percent of primary voters remain undecided. Although within the statistical margin of error, this is the first public poll showing Ernst leading in the GOP Primary.

President's approval ratings and Obamacare

Slightly more voters viewed President Barack Obama unfavorably (49 percent) than favorably (45 percent), and his job disapproval rating widened to 50 percent, with 40 percent approving. When likely voters were asked about the Affordable Care Act, 48 percent said it is generally bad for Iowa, and 38 percent said it is generally good.

Upbeat on Iowa economy

Nearly 43 percent of voters polled said that the Iowa economy has improved over the past two years, while 14 percent said it has gotten worse, and 39 percent said it has stayed the same.

"Voters are clearly saying that the worst is over when it comes to the Iowa economy. That's an opportunity for Democrats as they try to fight through the negative poll numbers of Obama and Obamacare."

Methodology

The statewide Suffolk University survey used a split sample of landline and cell phone numbers and a screen to filter out low voter intensity.  The field of 800 likely voters was conducted Thursday, April 3, through Tuesday, April 8. The margin of error is +/-3.5 percent at a 95 percent level of confidence. The subset of 224 likely Republican primary voters carries an error rate of +/-6.55 percent. The margin of error is +/-8.7 percent for the 127 GOP caucus-goers and +/-8.4% for the 135 Democratic caucus-goers surveyed.

Results are posted on the Suffolk University Political Research Center website. For more information, contact David Paleologos at 781-290-9310, dpaleologos@suffolk.edu.

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Suffolk University, located in historic downtown Boston, with an international campus in Madrid, is a student-centered institution distinguished by excellence in education and scholarship. Suffolk University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 90 areas of study. Its mission is to empower graduates to be successful locally, regionally, and globally.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today will sign Senate File 2319, an Act relating to improving student literacy skills, including addressing dyslexia, and providing teacher assistance, today, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at 4:15 p.m. The event will be held in the Governor's Formal Office at the Iowa State Capitol.

The bill passed the Iowa House 93-1 on March 25, 2014. It passed the Iowa Senate 48-0 on April 2, 2014.

The following event is open to credentialed members of the media:

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

4:15 p.m. Gov. Branstad signs Senate File 2319

Governor's Formal Office

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

Per the request of the Scott County Fire Chief Association, a county-wide open burn ban will be effective at 6:00 PM this evening.

Below find a copy of the proclamation and an excerpt from the Iowa Code which identifies exception to this ban (recreational fires, etc.)

IOWA CODE SECTION 100.40

100.40 Marshal may prohibit open burning on request.

1. The state fire marshal, during periods of extremely dry conditions or under other conditions when the state fire marshal finds open burning constitutes a danger to life or property, may prohibit open burning in an area of the state at the request of the chief of a local fire department, a city council or a board of supervisors and when an investigation supports the need for the prohibition. The state fire marshal shall implement the prohibition by issuing a proclamation to persons in the affected area. The chief of a local fire department, the city council or the board of supervisors that requested the prohibition may rescind the proclamation after notifying the state fire marshal of the intent to do so, when the chief, city council or board of supervisors finds that the conditions responsible for the issuance of the proclamation no longer exist.

2. Violation of a prohibition issued under this section is a simple misdemeanor.

3. A proclamation issued by the state fire marshal pursuant to this section shall not prohibit a supervised, controlled burn for which a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the fire district where the burn will take place, the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.

All proceeds of second annual event will benefit Bandit Scholars Program

DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 9, 2014) - The second annual Bandits Race to Home 5K presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics, a one-of-a-kind run, walk and Fun Run event, is set for Saturday at 8 a.m. The Quad Cities River Bandits announced details Tuesday for the unique race and community gathering that gives all proceeds to the non-profit Bandit Scholars Program, which funds two college scholarships each year for Quad Cities youth and is administered by the Community Foundation.

The unique route of the five-kilometer run and walk will begin at Modern Woodmen Park at 8 a.m., cross the Centennial Bridge into Rock Island, Ill., and the Rock Island Arsenal Bridge back into Davenport before ending at home plate inside Modern Woodmen Park. A Fun Run for children 12 years and younger, with River Bandits mascot Rascal, will also take place at approximately 9:15 a.m. Every 5K registration includes a T-shirt, and every participant in the 5K and Fun Run will receive two free tickets to the River Bandits game of their choice during the month of April. Registration is available at www.riverbandits.com/5K, through Thursday, April 10.

"With outstanding participation last spring, the people of the Quad Cities made the first Bandits Race to Home 5K the perfect start to the River Bandits season and a fantastic event to benefit our non-profit Bandit Scholars Program," said team owner Dave Heller. "For the same affordable price in the 2014 race, Quad Cities runners and walkers will again enjoy a unique race experience and a free River Bandits game while supporting the Bandit Scholars Program that pays the entire cost of tuition for two Quad Cities area students to go to college."

The 5K registration fee of $27 includes a T-shirt and a ticket to a 2014 River Bandits game. Fun Run registration for children ages 12 and younger is $17, or $22 with a T-shirt. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Bandit Scholars Program, which annually awards the Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship and the Bandit Scholarship. Each scholarship pays the entire first-year college tuition for two Quad Cities-area students.

Packet pick-up will be available at Modern Woodmen Park from on Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, as well as before the race Saturday, April 12, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Individual prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers, as well as to the top three males and females in each age group, each of the 13 age groups - 19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and 60-plus.

A post-race party with results announcements and awards will include free adjustments from Palmer Chiropractic Clinics. Participants will receive two complimentary post-race beverages, as well as complimentary snacks. Non-participants may make a donation to the Bandit Scholars Program to enjoy the post-race snacks and beverages.

Any questions about the race can be directed to Alexandria Sheffler at alex@riverbandits.com.

UP NEXT: The second annual River Bandits Race to Home 5K and Kids Fun Run presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics is Saturday at 8 a.m. Thursday is the last day to register using the link at www.riverbandits.com. All proceeds benefit the Bandit Scholars Program. To order any of the 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, is opening in May, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

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