Iowa official register

 

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E

XECUTIVE

 B

RANCH

 

E

LECTED

 O

FFICIALS

 

 

Chapter 1 

 

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EXECUTIVE BRANCH ELECTED OFFICIALS 

 

GOVERNOR 

State Capitol, Des Moines 50319; [phone]; 

www.governor.iowa.gov 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHESTER (CHET) J. CULVER 

Governor 

Des Moines (D) 

Term: Expires January 2011. Profession: Elected to first term as Governor in November 2006. 

Elected to first term as Secretary of State in November 1998 and reelected in 2002. Consumer and 

environmental advocate, Iowa Attorney General’s Office, 1991-1995. High school government 

and history teacher and coach, Hoover High School, Des Moines, 1995-1998. Education: B.A. in 

political science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 1988. M.A. in teaching and 

education, Drake University, 1994. Birth and Residence: Born in 1966 in Washington, D.C. 

Resides in Des Moines. Family Members: Wife, Mariclare Thinnes Culver; one daughter and 

one son. 

 

The supreme executive power of the state is vested in the Governor, whose term of office is 

four years. 

A person is eligible for the governorship who is a citizen of the United States and a resident of 

Iowa for two years preceding the next election, and has attained the age of 30 years at the time of 

said election. 

The Governor appoints all principal officers of the state not elected by the people and certain 

other officers connected with the state government, subject to confirmation by a two-thirds vote 

of the members of the Senate. When any office, from any cause, becomes vacant, and no mode is 

provided by the Constitution and laws for filling such vacancy, the Governor has the power to fill 

such vacancy. 

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IOWA OFFICIAL REGISTER 

 

The chief executive is also responsible for taking final action on all laws enacted by the Gen-

eral Assembly. The Governor may approve, by signing, or disapprove, by veto, a bill passed by 

both houses of the Legislature or the Governor may allow a bill to become law without signing it. 

The Governor may also call a special session of the General Assembly when there is necessity 

of action and may order adjournment of the Legislature if the members cannot reach agreement 

when to adjourn. The Governor must report to the Legislature the financial condition of the state 

and a recommendation for any appropriate action concerning the financial status. 

The Governor has the task of granting or denying executive clemency in the form of restoration 

of voting rights, commutation of sentences, pardons, remissions of fines and forfeitures, and gun 

licenses privileges. 

The specific statutory duties of the Office of Governor include being commander-in-chief of 

the military forces of Iowa, chairperson of the Executive Council, and having the authority to 

grant or deny extradition whenever there is a request for a fugitive from justice. 

The Governor has many obligations as the chief executive to the people of Iowa. These include 

meeting different groups or individuals to discuss problems which in some way affect govern-

ment; conferring with Iowa’s congressional delegation to discuss national issues which affect 

Iowa; promoting Iowa and its manufactured and agricultural products; answering correspondence 

from the electorate; and endeavoring to meet visitors who wish to visit the Capitol and the Gover-

nor’s Office. 

Built on a foundation of inclusiveness, the Culver/Judge administration is committed to moving 

Iowa forward by creating a strong economy for Iowa’s working families.  

Governor Culver is devoted to building on Iowa’s strengths in education, agriculture, and 

manufacturing to create jobs in every part of the state. He believes that growing Iowa’s economy 

through our unlimited opportunities in renewable energy and alternative fuels, promoting educa-

tional excellence through increased teacher pay and early childhood education opportunities, and 

delivering affordable quality health care are all fundamental steps toward improving the lives of 

all Iowans. In addition, the Governor understands the importance of keeping our young people in 

the state and is dedicated to making Iowa an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.  

In summary, the Governor is the chief administrator of the state government and is held respon-

sible by the citizenry for the effective and efficient administration of the various state departments 

and agencies in Iowa. 

 

See chapter 4 for information regarding the Executive Office of the Governor and the Lieuten-

ant Governor. 

 

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EXECUTIVE BRANCH ELECTED OFFICIALS 

 

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 

State Capitol, Des Moines 50319; [phone]; 

 www.governor.iowa.gov 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PATTY JUDGE 

Lieutenant Governor 

Albia (D) 

Term: Expires January 2011. Profession: Elected Lt. Governor in November 2006. Served as 

Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, 1998-2006. Iowa State Senator, 1992-1998. Served as Assistant 

Majority Leader, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member of the Committee on Agricul-

ture. Former registered nurse, real estate broker, rural appraiser, and livestock producer. Educa-

tion: Graduated from Albia Community High School, 1962; Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, 

1965. Attended the University of Iowa. Memberships and Activities: Former mediator and re-

gional coordinator for Iowa Farmer Mediation Service. Various state boards and commissions, 

including the State Fair Board. Former chair, Renewable Fuels and Advisory Committee and the 

Iowa Grain Indemnity Board. PEO. St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Past member: Board of Direc-

tors, Albia Area Chamber of Commerce. On the national level, Lt. Governor Judge served as an 

executive officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and was the 

chair of the standing committee on agricultural and food security. She is past president of the 

Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture and served as a representative of state 

departments of agriculture on the National Homeland Security Government Coordinating Coun-

cil. Currently she sits on the National Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Council. She is 

also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association. 

Birth and Residence: Born in 1943 in Fort Madison. Resides in Albia. Family Members: Hus-

band, John Judge; three sons, three grandchildren. 

 

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