Gov. Mike Huckabee: Iowa Visits

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR): Iowa Visits
Updated through Jan. 3, 2008 29 visits, 75 days

2007 plus Jan. 1-3, 2008 (22 visits, 62 days)
December (5 visits, 16 days)
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on January 3, 2008, after his January 2 appearance on "The Tonight Show." He did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" at the Best Western Fun City in Burlington; a "Meet Mike Huckabee" at Veterans Memorial Building in Grinnell; and spoke at a Caucuses Watch party at the Embassy Suites, Grand Ballroom A & B in Des Moines.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on December 27, 2007-January 2, 2008.
On December 27 he spoke at a "We the People" event at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines.
On December 28 he started in Des Moines; attended a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Pizza Ranch in Pella; [big gap]; and in the early evening attended a "Meet Mike Huckabee" rally at Bridge View Center in Ottumwa.
On December 29 he did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Boyt Harness Company in Osceola; and a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Signatures Grill in Indianola.
On December 30 he appeared on NBC News' "Meet the Press" with Tim Russert; and spoke at Cornerstone Family Church in Des Moines.
On December 31 in Des Moines he went for a morning run at Gray's Lake; held a news conference on his decision not to run an ad responding to Romney attacks at the Downtown Marriott; stopped by campaign headquarters to thank volunteers; had a shave and haircut at Executive Forum Barber Shop; and attended a New Year's Eve Party at the Wakonda Club.
On January 1 he did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Pizza Ranch in Sergeant Bluff; played bass and spoke at a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Elks Lodge in Cedar Rapids; he and Chuck Norris participated in a blogger bash, including a live webcast, at the Downtown Marriott in Des Moines; and he and Chuck Norris rallied at the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines.
On January 2 he did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Webster County Fairgrounds in Fort Dodge; and a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Chicago Dawg in Mason City. [He then flew to Los Angeles to appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"].

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on the morning of December 26, 2007. He went pheasant hunting at High Prairie Farm in Osceola [~~and stops by campaign headquarters in Des Moines to thank volunteers~~did not happen]. Then to Florida.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on December 19-22, 2007.
On the afternoon and evening of December 19 he did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Jordan Creek Town Center community room in West Des Moines; and a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at The Gateway Hotel in Ames.
On December 20 he did a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at the Best Western Regency Inn in Marshalltown; a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at the Fox Ridge Golf Club in Dike; a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at the Waterloo Center for the Arts in Waterloo; a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at the Community Center at Delaware County Fairgrounds in Manchester; and attended an Iowa Christian Alliance event at Elite Home in Cedar Rapids.
On December 21 he spoke at the grand opening of the Scott County Republican Party headquarters at 1860 East 54th St. in Davenport; did a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at The Rendezvous Banquet Hall in Muscatine; a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville; played bass guitar and hosted media availability to discuss his support of arts and education at West Music in Coralville; and did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Loras College, Alumni Campus Center in Dubuque.
On December 22 he did a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at The Center, Downtown Council Bluffs (714 South Main Street) in Council Bluffs; a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at North High School auditorium in Sioux City; a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at Northwestern College Theater in Orange City; and a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at Northwest Iowa Community College Town Hall in Sheldon.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on December 11-12, 2007. On December 11 [he plans a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event, Bayliss Park Hall in Council Bluffs; a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Montgomery County YMCA in Red Oak; a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Supertel Inn and Conference Center in Creston; a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Boyt Harness Co. in Osceola; and will speak at a "My Prez" student forum and attend a post forum coffee at Drake University in Des Moines.canceled schedule due to weather]; he held an impromptu press conference at the Holiday Inn in Council Bluffs to announce the endorsement of Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project; and stopped at the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter with Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who endorsed the Governor that day. On December 12 he participated in the Des Moines Register Republican Presidential Debate at Iowa Public Television's Maytag Auditorium in Johnston; and participated in a discussion on healthcare at Des Moines University in Des Moines.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on December 3-4, 2007. On December 3 he appeared as a guest on CBS' "The Early Show," live with anchor Harry Smith from studio audience in Center College in Pella; appeared on the Jan Mickelson radio show at WHO in Des Moines; toured the wellness center at Principal Financial Group and spoke to employees at Principal Financial Group; met with retired admirals and generals, hosted by Human Rights First, at the Suites at 800 Locust in Des Moines; tours and meet with employees of DuPont Pioneer at Carver Conference & Learning Center in Johnston; and appeared at the Iowa Renewal Project's Pastors' Policy Briefing "Rediscovering God in America" at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown in Des Moines (note ABC News' "Nightline" followed him during the day; the segment aired in the evening). On December 4 he hosted a "Meet Mike Huckabee" coffee at the DMACC Conference Center in Newton; held an open house at his expanded Iowa campaign headquarters in Des Moines and announced endorsements of Tim and Beverly LaHaye, Chuck Hurley, and his Iowa Pastors Coalition at a news conference; appear on the Steve Deace radio show at WHO in Des Moines; and spoke at a media dinner at Raccoon River Brewery in Des Moines.

November (1 visit, 2 days)
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on November 7-8, 2007. On November 7 he toured Iowa Metal Spinners in Cedar Falls; held a Meet Mike Huckabee lunch at Doughy Joey’s Peetza Joynt in Waterloo; spoke at the University of Northern Iowa’s Maucker Union in Cedar Falls; and did a Meet Mike Huckabee event at the Kirkwood Community College Center in Vinton. On the morning of November 8 he met with local supporters at the Crowne Plaza in Cedar Rapids.

October (1 visits 3 days)
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on October 25-27, 2007.
On the evening of October 25 he participated in a Divided We Fail “Candidate Forum on Health & Financial Security” at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux City.
On October 26 he attended a "Red Ribbon Week" rally at Woodbury Central High School in Moville and played bass guitar with the school jazz band (they performed C Jam Blues and Summertime Blues); and he played bass guitar with Capitol Offense at a "Rockin' in the Caucuses: 2007-2008 Road to the White House" fundraiser for his campaign at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.
On October 27 in the morning he went pheasant hunting at High Prairie Farms near Osceola on the opening day of Iowa's pheasant season; and in the evening he joined other candidates at the Republican Party of Iowa's Reagan Dinner at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

September (1 visit, 2 days)
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on September 13-14, 2007. On the evening of September 13 he did a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Veterans Memorial Park, Bandshell Shelter in Bettendorf. On September 14 he did a Meet Mike Huckabee coffee at Joe Vitale's Pizza Restaurant in Clinton; a Meet Mike Huckabee lunch at Flapjacks Family Restaurant in Maquoketa; a Meet Mike Huckabee coffee at the Pizza Ranch in Anamosa; and a Meet Mike Huckabee event at the Best Western Inn in Dubuque.

August (2 visits, 12 days)
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on August 28-29, 2007. On August 28 in Cedar Rapids he spoke at the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s Livestrong Presidential Cancer Forum at the U.S. Cellular Center; guested on “Fox News Live” with host Jon Scott to discuss a recently release report on obesity; toured the Clipper Windpower facility in Cedar Rapids; met with the editorial board of the Cedar Rapids Gazette; and did private meetings in the afternoon and evening. On the morning of August 29 he did a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at the Pizza Ranch in Pella; guested on the Jan Mickelson Show on WHO Radio in Des Moines; and in the afternoon did one-on-one interviews with John Carlson of The Des Moines Register, Emily Givens of KCCI-TV, Dave Price of WHO-TV, and Kay Henderson of Radio Iowa.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa from August 1-11, 2007. ...counted as 10 days-ed.
On the evening of August 1 he spoke and meet with church staff members at Cornerstone World Outreach Church in Sioux City; and met with supporters at Perkins Family Restaurant in Sioux City.
On August 2 he attended a pastors leadership meeting at the Community Center in Grundy Center; spoke at a Fair Tax rally in Liberty Park in Grundy Center; held a Meet Mike Huckabee event in the community room at Ames Public Library; and attended a "Meet Mike Huckabee" house party at the home of Roger and Susan Parker in Story City.
On August 3 he did blogger and national media conference calls from Iowa Falls; spoke at a Fair Tax rally at Bandshell Park in Hampton; attended a Meet Mike Huckabee ice cream social at City Park in Clear Lake; and attended a house party at the home of Connie Roe in rural Iowa Falls.
On August 4 he prepared for the debate in Clive. (no public events). *not included in tally
On August 5 he participated in the ABC News "This Week" Republican Presidential Debate at Drake University in Des Moines; and attended a Republican Party of Iowa Chairman's event near Correctionville.
On August 6 he did a Meet Mike Huckabee event at the Pizza Ranch in Sergeant Bluff; a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Janz Restaurant in Onawa; and Meet Mike Huckabee eventa at Tazza di Caffe in Council Bluffs.
On August 7 he did a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Pizza Ranch in Le Mars; a Meet Mike Huckabee ice cream social at Chautauqua Park in Storm Lake; a multi-church event at Windmill Park in Orange City; and spoke at State Rep. Dwayne Alons' "Picnic in the Gym" fundraiser at the Hull Community Building in Hull..
On August 8 he did a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Pizza Ranch in Spencer; a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Sumhing Chinese Restaurant in Algona; a Meet Mike Huckabee event on City Hall front lawn in Boone; and a Meet Mike Huckabee event at the Learning Resource Center in West Des Moines.
On August 9 he appeared on the Jan Mickelson show on WHO in Des Moines; did a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Memorial Park in Indianola; held conference calls with media and bloggers; did a Meet Mike Huckabee house party at the home of Ray and Hazel Anderson in Altoona; and a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Colby Park in Windsor Heights.
On August 10 he spent the morning and early afternoon at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, including the Des Moines Register's Political Soap Box, guesting on "The Big Show" on WHO Radio; speaking at Divided We Fail's Republican Presidential Candidate Conversation; later he was guest on the Steve Deace Show on WHO Radio.
On August 11 he participated in the Iowa Republican Straw Poll on the Iowa State University campus in Ames.

July (3.5 visits, 12 days)
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on July 23-25, 2007.
On July 23 he did a “Meet Mike Huckabee” coffee at the Blue Strawberry Coffee Co. in Cedar Rapids; a “Meet Mike Huckabee” lunch at Pizza Ranch in North Liberty; and a health care discussion at Genesis Heart Institute's Alder Health Education Center in Davenport.
On July 24 he did a “Meet Mike Huckabee” coffee at Green's Tea and Coffee in Muscatine; (appearance on “The Right Balance” with host Greg Allen); a “Meet Mike Huckabee” lunch at Pizza Ranch in Washington; (an appearance on MSNBC's “All Politics”); a meet and greet at Central Park in Ottumwa; and was the keynote speaker at the 25th Annual Henry County GOP Hog Roast Mount Pleasant Community Center in Mount Pleasant.
On July 25 he met with customers at the Smokey Row Coffee House in Oskaloosa.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on July 18-19, 2007. On July 18 he did a Meet Mike Huckabee coffee at S&D Café in Waukon; a Meet Mike Huckabee lunch at the Pizza Ranch in Decorah; a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Bill's Pizza and Smokehouse in Independence; and a Meet Mike Huckabee event at Beck's Sports Brewery in Waterloo. On July 19 he did a Meet Mike Huckabee lunch at the Pizza Ranch in Marshalltown; a roundtable discussion with educators at Gates Hall in Nevada; and a Meet Mike Huckabee house party at the home of Bryan and Rachel Witherwax in West Des Moines.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on July 11-14, 2007.
~~Starting late afternoon on July 10 he plans to speak at the Crossroads Christian Center in Council Bluffs; and attend the Monona County GOP Steak Fry at Mapleton Community Center in Mapleton~~.missed July 10 events due to delayed flight
On July 11 he met with supporters at Panera Bread Company in Sioux City; met with supporters at Olson Cultural Events Center in Le Mars; hosted conference calls with bloggers and media; met with supporters at Butler's Cafe & Coffee in Sioux Center; and attended a house party at the home of Bryan and Aspen Allen in Granville.
On July 12 he met with customers at the Family Table Restaurant in Sheldon; and did a lunch with farmers at the Pizza Inn in Primghar. From Des Moines he did a remote appearance on the Tucker Carlson Show addressing the Michael Moore movie.
On July 13 he met with supporters at the Chrome Truck Stop in Algona; toured the Hydrogen Engine Center in Algona; visited with the crowd at the Winnegabo County Fair in Thompson (including a live remote from the Winnebago County Fair with CNN re: Michael Moore); made a quick stop at the Lions' Club BBQ in Forest City; made a stop to have his picture taken in front of the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake; and met with supporters at the Pizza Ranch in Mason City.
On July 14 he did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Pizza Ranch in Eldora; met with supporters at Cottage on Broad in Story City; and attended a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Webster County GOP headquarters in Fort Dodge. ~~attend the Congressman Steve King homecoming event at the Odebolt Community Center in Odebolt.~~did not make it to the Odebolt event.

Visit continued from June...
On July 1 he spoke to the congregation at Crossroads Fellowship Church in West Des Moines.
On July 2 he spoke about health care issues and his personal story of health and wellness at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids; guested on “The Right Balance” talk radio show with host Greg Allen in Cedar Rapids; spoke to the Coralville Chamber of Commerce at Perkins Restaurant in Coralville; visited with supporters at West Music Store in Coralville; attended a cookout with Eastern Iowa Ministers at City Park, Shelter 11 in Iowa City; and attended the Johnson County GOP Central Committee meeting at the Hawkeye Brokerage Center in Iowa City.
On July 3 he met with the editorial board of the Quad City Times in Davenport; hosted a conference call with bloggers from Iowa City; spoke to medical personnel about health care at Genesis Medical Center in DeWitt;and guested on WOI Radio with host Catherine Perkins in DeWitt.

first six months of 2007 (7.5 visits, 14 days)
June
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on June 28-July 3, 2007.
On June 28 he appeared at the Iowa Renewal Project's Pastors and Pews Dinner at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines.
On June 29 he did The Jan Mickelson Show at WHO Radio in Des Moines; attended a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Iowa Telecom corporate headquarters in Newton; and spoke at a house party at the home of Fred and Barb Taylor in Waukee.
On June 30 he participated in the Presidential Candidates Forum hosted by Iowans for Tax Relief (ITR) and the Iowa Christian Alliance (ICA) at the Iowa Events Center at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines; and attended a "Meet Mike Huckabee" grill out at Moats Park in Indianola.
Visit continues in July...

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on June 12-13, 2007. On the evening of June 12 he spoke at a house party for the Iowa Family Policy Center in Ames. On June 13 he toured, then hold a media availability at Advanced Analytical Technology, Inc. in Ames; toured Erickson Machine Tools in Story City; visited downtown businesses on Broad Street in Story City; hosted the grand opening of the Huckabee for President Exploratory Committee headquarters at 415 6th Ave, Suite 106 in Des Moines; and spoke to employees at Nationwide/Allied Insurance in Des Moines.

May
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, after arriving in Des Moines very late on May 24, delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa on the morning of May 25, 2007. He also had lunch with a group of supporters and prospective supporters, did three media interviews before proceeding to Washington, DC.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke at the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA) meeting at Hotel Fort Des Moines in Des Moines, Iowa on May 11, 2007.

April
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on April 27-28, 2007. On April 27 he was the guest on "The Jan Mickelson Show" at WHO in Des Moines; drove to Waterloo; did several interviews (45-minute interview with Dr. Glorida Kirkland-Holmes on KBBG Radio in Waterloo, an interview with the Waterloo Courier and an interview with the Total Living Network); and late afternoon/early evening attended a Iowa Christian Alliance house party at the home of Greg and Leann Saul in Cedar Falls.
On April 28 he attended a Story County GOP breakfast at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames; spoke at the "Spring Into Action – Diabetes 2007 Conference" at Mercy Medical Center's East Tower Conference Center in Des Moines; attended a GOP "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at Park Centre in North Newton; did a one-on-one with Andy Karr of the Newton Daily News; attended the Iowa Right to Life Spring Fling at the White Oak Winery in Cambridge; and spoke at a Union County GOP event at the Supertel Inn and Conference Center in Creston.

>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on April 13-14, 2007. On April 13 he taped "Iowa Press" at Iowa Public TV studios in Johnston; met with the Des Moines Register editorial board; spoke at athe Drake University-IowaPolitics.com Luncheon at Drake’s Levitt Hall in Old Main in Des Moines; did private meetings in the afternoon; and attend a Bull Moose Club reception at Winston's Restaurant in Des Moines. On April 14 he spoke at a Warren County GOP Pancake Breakfast at Christian Union Church in Indianola; did private meetings; and attended and made remarks at the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Day Unity Dinner, then performed with his band Capitol Offense at the campaign's post-dinner reception, at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines.

March
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited western Iowa on March 24, 2007. He spoke to Pottawattamie County Republicans at the Treynor Community Center early that morning; met local Republicans at Luciano's in Sioux City; met Plymouth County Republicans at the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop in Le Mars; and met GOP activists at a soup supper at the Sioux Golf & Country Club in Alton.

February
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January
>Former Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on January 30-31, 2007. On January 30 he appeared on "The Jan Mickelson Show" at WHO Radio; had lunch with Dallas County Republicans at Philly's Finest Restaurant in Waukee; and did a "Meet Mike Huckabee" event at the Iowa Welcome Center, Living History Farms in Des Moines. On January 31 he had breakfast with local activists at Westside Family Dining in Grinnell; did a live in-studio interview with Ben Kieffer, "Talk of Iowa/The Exchange" on KSUI/WSU in Iowa City; held a "Lunch with Mike Huckabee" at the Stoplight Cafe in Tipton; and did a “Meet Mike Huckabee” event at the Women’s Choice Center in Bettendorf.

Gov. Huckabee finished his tenure in Jan. 2007.

2006 (4 visits: 8 days)
>Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on September 8-10, 2006.
On September 8 he toured Hawkeye Renewables Ethanol Plant in Iowa Falls; spoke at a lunch benefit for State Rep. Polly Granzow (HD-44) at the Gentile Student Center at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls; spoke at a fundraiser for State Rep. George Eichhorn (HD-9) at the home of Carl and Vicky Hokel in Webster City; and attended an Ankeny Christian Academy potluck supper at Sandpiper Shelter at Saylorville Lake in Ankeny.
On September 9 he appeared at a community coffee for House candidate Dan Clute (HD-59) at the home of Paul and Bev Leighton in Clive; spoke at a political event for state Senate candidate Julian Garrett (SD 37) at Breadaux Pizza in Winterset; spoke at a fundraiser for Senate candidate David Hartsuch (SD-41) at Crown Point Community Center in Johnston; dropped by a barbeque with state Rep. Walt Tomenga (HD 69) at the town square in Polk City; and was a guest at an Iowa Christian Alliance dinner at 7 Flags Event Center in Clive.
On the afternoon of September 10 he was the keynote speaker at a 9/11 Memorial for Firefighters and Policemen at the Band Shell in Ankeny.

>Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on July 8-10, 2006.
On the afternoon of July 8, he toured the Linn County Fair in Central City, accompanied by state House candidate Emma Nemechek; he spoke at a fundraiser for State House candidate Connie Jacobsen (District 39) at the Don Krug farm near Atkins [Benton County]; and he was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser hosted by former MLB pitcher Cal Eldred and Cedar Rapids developer Jim Sattler for state Rep. Kraig Paulsen in Cedar Rapids.
On the afternoon of July 9 he spoke at an event for State House candidate Matt Reisetter (District 19) at the Tim Boettger farm west of Cedar Falls; and spoke at an event for State Rep. David Lalk and State House candidate Patrick Grassley (District 17) at Prestein Park in Denver [Bremer County]; and had a private dinner with about 15 Tama County activists near Toledo.
On July 10 starting early in the morning, he and former Gov. Terry Branstad were the special guests at a Larry Noble for Senate reception at the home of Steve and Rep. Carmine Boal in Ankeny, then he participated in a news conference on economic development and jobs with Noble at Accu-mold Corp in Ankeny; he was the guest on "The Jan Mickelson Show" on WHO Radio in Des Moines; and he spoke at an event with State Senate candidate Jim Kurtenbach and Jim Hallihan of Iowa Games/Lighten Up, Iowa at Story County Medical Center in Nevada.

>Gov. Mike Huckabee was the featured speaker at the Iowa Christian Alliance's (formerly Christian Coalition of Iowa) Annual Spring Kickoff Event at Des Moines Christian School in Urbandale, Iowa on March 6, 2006.

>Gov. Mike Huckabee was the special guest of the Sioux County Republicans at the 2006 precinct caucuses meeting in Sioux Center High School's Te Paske Theatre in Sioux Center, Iowa (Northwest corner of the state) on the evening of January 16, 2006.

2005 (3 visits: 5* days)
>Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on October 13-14, 2005. On October 13 as part of his NGA "Healthy America" chairman's initiative he toured two schools with Gov. Tom Vilsack: May Goodrell Traditional Plus Middle School in Des Moines and Ankeny High School in Ankeny. He then joined congressional candidate Jeff Lamberti for roundtable discussion with activists at the Republican Party of Iowa headquarters in Des Moines. On the morning of October 14 he gave the keynote address to the World Food Prize Symposium on Nutrition at the Marriott Hotel in Des Moines.

>Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Iowa on September 16-17, 2005. On the evening of September 16, taped IPTV's "Iowa Press." On September 17 he had private meetings most of the day and a press roundtable in mid-afternoon before attending the Polk County Republicans' annual GOP Fest at Jalapeno Pete's at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

>The National Governors Association held its 97th Annual Meeting at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines, Iowa on July 16-18, 2005, with related events on July 15. More than 30 governors attended at least part of the conference. On July 15 Gov. Mike Huckabee attended the fundraising luncheon for the Iowa Republican Party at the Des Moines Club (Ruan Building). His band, Capitol Offense, played at an event hosted by the Republican Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association on the evening of July 16. He became NGA chair on July 18.