RPCV Paul Johnson loses in Iowa Congressional race, says race was "a good, solid campaign where people talked about the issues."



RPCV Paul Johnson loses in Iowa Congressional race, says race was "a good, solid campaign where people talked about the issues."

Latham will keep U.S. House seat

By Jason Kristufek

November 03, 2004

Republican Tom Latham of Alexander, calling this fall's campaign a "great, wild ride," easily defeated Democrat Paul Johnson of Decorah in the race to represent Iowa's Fourth Congressional District.

"I'm very proud of the race," Latham told Republican supporters at the Hotel at Gateway Center in Ames Tuesday night.

"We ran a totally positive campaign based on the issues," he said. "I want to compliment my opponent, Paul Johnson, for doing the same."

Johnson, a Democrat, told the Associated Press that Latham's money and name recognition were hard to overcome.

He also felt the race was "a good, solid campaign where people talked about the issues."

The congressional district covers 28 counties in Iowa, including Story and Boone counties.

According to figures compiled by Iowa Secretary of State's Office, with 514 of 521 precincts reporting, Latham received 178,021 votes to Johnson's 114,353. In Story County, Latham received 23,951 votes to Johnson's 18,596.

Supporters in Ames cheered Latham, the incumbent Republican, as he made his acceptance speech about 10:30 p.m.

"I want to pledge ... that I am going to represent everyone," Latham said. "What we've got to do in this country is bring people together again, and make sure that we stand as the United States of America."

Latham said he wants to tackle the challenges of national and economic security. He wants to grow small businesses, expanded value-added agriculture, honor the service of the men and women in combat and provide funding for first-responders.

Latham also thanked supporters and volunteers in Ames, saying more than 50,000 phone calls and contacts were made in Story County this past weekend, and he said that helped propel him to victory.

Tom Latham 23,951 56.25 percent

Paul Johnson 18,596 43.67 percent

When this story was posted in November 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers The Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference. RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls. Take our poll and tell us what you are doing to support your candidate. Finally read our wrap-up of the eight RPCVs in Senate and House races around the country and where the candidates are in their races.

---

Director Gaddi Vasquez: The PCOL Interview PCOL sits down for an extended interview with Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez. Read the entire interview from start to finish and we promise you will learn something about the Peace Corps you didn't know before. Plus the debate continues over Safety and Security.

Schwarzenegger praises PC at Convention Governor Schwarzenegger praised the Peace Corps at the Republican National Convention: "We're the America that sends out Peace Corps volunteers to teach village children." Schwarzenegger has previously acknowledged his debt to his father-in-law, Peace Corps Founding Director Sargent Shriver, for teaching him "the joy of public service" and Arnold is encouraging volunteerism by creating California Service Corps and tapping his wife, Maria Shriver, to lead it. Leave your comments and who can come up with the best Current Events Funny?

Peace Corps: One of the Best Faces of America Teresa Heinz Kerry celebrates the Peace Corps Volunteer as one of the best faces America has ever projected in a speech to the Democratic Convention. The National Review disagreed and said that Heinz's celebration of the PCV was "truly offensive." What's your opinion and can you come up with a Political Funny?

Read the stories and leave your comments.