Election Night Statement by Tom Vilsack
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Des Moines-Governor Tom Vilsack issued the following statement regarding the results of the 2006 election.

"This was a historic election in Iowa and our nation.

As a proud Democrat and Iowan, I am thrilled with the election of Chet Culver and Patty Judge.  Iowans have ensured that the progress we have accomplished together will continue.  Confident in their abilities, I know the Culver/Judge Administration will make Iowa's children priority one, with key investments in education. Under Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge, Iowa will create good-paying jobs, ensure Iowans have access to healthcare and maintain our status as a renewable fuels leader.

The election of a Democratic General Assembly represents historic opportunity.  I know members of this General Assembly will respect and understand the confidence Iowans have placed in them.  I know they will build on this mandate and take seriously their responsibility to deliver real solutions for working families.

Lt. Governor Pederson, Christie and I look forward to working with these fine leaders.  That mandate of responsibility and opportunity spreads across this great country.

Americans turned out today to choose candidates that offered big ideas and real plans of action.  They chose candidates with optimism and experience in dealing with the issues facing our nation.  Now is the time for work to begin, in earnest, in bringing our country together.

Nationally, the vote today was a mandate for change in Washington and for putting this country back on track with common sense ideas and values.

We also had a very well run election in Iowa, which is because of the hard work and fairness of election officials, beginning with Secretary of State and Governor-elect Chet Culver.  That's the good news.

The bad news is that six years after the 2000 Flordia recount crisis, we still have a long way to go in protecting every Americans' right to vote.  Whether you're a Democrat or Republican, that's unacceptable."

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Contact:  Matt Paul
515.229.0125