opinion

Register endorses Fred Hubbell in Democratic primary for Iowa governor

We wish we could endorse three candidates in the Democratic primary for governor.

If we could, we’d pick Dr. Andy McGuire for Governor of Health Care. McGuire, a physician who works in health care management, understands better than any other candidate how to ensure access to health care for all Iowans while being responsible to taxpayers.

And we'd choose John Norris for Governor of Rural Development. He knows how to manage complex issues like energy and ag policy. He’s done it for years while working for the state and federal government.

But for any Democrat to take charge of these vital issues, he or she has to win in November. That means not only uniting Democrats after June 5 but also attracting independents and moderates who think the state is on the wrong track. The Register endorses Fred Hubbell as the candidate best equipped for the challenge.

Hubbell, a retired businessman and longtime progressive donor and activist, led the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted May 13-15 with 31 percent among likely Democratic primary voters. But the race remains in flux. Hubbell’s closest competitor, state Sen. Nate Boulton, dropped out of the race Thursday, a day after the Register first published allegations by three women of sexual misconduct.

Hubbell is in the strongest position to avoid a time-consuming convention nominating process by clearing the required 35 percent of the vote on June 5.

Hubbell’s critics like to sneer at the fact he’s pouring millions of his own money into the campaign. But his ability to do that has helped him weather the hardship to fundraising caused by the legislative session running into mid-May. Candidates for state offices can’t raise money from political action committees during the session.

But this is not just about the horse race, money and TV advertising. Those are short-term issues. Hubbell is not only able but willing to take the long view on issues ranging from the state’s broken tax code to education, health care, the economy and the environment.

“I think what needs to happen in our state is we have to have a short-term strategy of fixing our fiscal mismanagement,” Hubbell said.

And, he said, “we need to also be making investments in our state so we can grow our economy the right way … by having some of the best educational results in the country.”

That’s where Hubbell shines. It's true that he led the state economic development department for only a few months when Gov. Chet Culver brought him in to clean up after the Iowa Film Office scandal. But his brief time in state government — plus a lifetime of business experience — means he understands the game of corporate incentives.

More endorsements: Register endorses Cindy Axne in the Democratic primary for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District

Libertarian primary: The Register endorses Jake Porter in the Libertarian primary for governor

Hubbell isn’t simply pledging to dispense with business tax credits and incentives; he’s talking about how to make them work better. For example, he wouldn’t eliminate the research and development tax credit. Advocates say the credit draws and retains high-paying research jobs in Iowa. Critics see it as a prime example of corporate welfare at a time when the state government is strapped for revenue. Hubbell proposes to cap the credit and make it an exemption instead of having the state write checks to companies that may not even pay taxes here. He’s prepared to evaluate other credits to see whether the state’s return is worth the investment.

He’s also not recklessly promising to repeal this year’s $2.2 billion, election-year income-tax cut. Instead, he says he’d look at the state’s financial situation next year and try to match revenues with spending priorities. That may not be the most popular answer in a Democratic primary, and the state does indeed need to raise more revenue to address a myriad of challenges. But his answer is prudent and recognizes the reality that raising taxes might not be possible politically.

We need a governor who will heal Medicaid, clean up our water, stop starving our schools and bring back our rural communities. But fixing the financial system has to come first, and Hubbell is the best candidate for that job.

Hubbell isn’t an expert on every issue — none of these candidates can claim to be. But he has demonstrated that he’s willing to work to educate himself. Before the Register-sponsored mental health forum in December, Hubbell traveled the state holding roundtable discussions with experts on the issue. Those weren’t just excuses for him to campaign — he listened more than he spoke. And at the end, he offered a detailed plan that incorporated what he heard.

That’s not the sort of politics that gets people’s blood pumping. There are more exciting and dynamic candidates in the field.

Candidate Cathy Glasson, the firecracker health-care union leader from Iowa City, calls herself a “bold progressive.” She argued in Iowa Public Television’s recent debate that Democrats won’t win with a middle-of-the-road candidate.

“We have lost 11 out of the last 14 governor's races in this state by staying safe in the middle and not looking forward and looking back …” she said.

Hubbell is firmly on the progressive side of the aisle. His many years of support for Planned Parenthood, including serving on its board, have endeared him to many Iowa Democrats. But any Iowa governor is likely to have to work with a Republican legislative majority at some point. We think Hubbell, in the mold of former Gov. Tom Vilsack, would be far more effective at accomplishing progressive goals than a far-left visionary.

Even so, there isn’t a candidate remaining in the governor’s race that we wouldn’t like to see in public service in some capacity.

Democrats should get over themselves if they’re still unfairly blaming McGuire, former Iowa Democratic Party chair, for her handling of the 2016 elections and start appreciating her smart, caring approach to issues. They should give Norris’ experience and innovative ideas about energy and agriculture a second look.

Glasson has more to learn about how government operates, but she’s a strong progressive leader with a bright future. Former Iowa City mayor Ross Wilburn has been overlooked in such an accomplished field of candidates, but his experience in local government, social services and rural outreach makes him well-qualified for public office.

But we can endorse only one.

If Hubbell wins the primary, he will need all of his former opponents by his side in the general election. Democrats can’t afford to sit out because they didn’t get their way in the primary. Hubbell has run a clean campaign that can help him unify Democrats. He’s the party’s best choice for 2018.