On the Campaign Trail with Ed Tibbetts

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s campaign has signed veteran communications hand Tim Albrecht.

The Branstad committee made the announcement this morning.

“We are excited to have Tim join this campaign,” said Branstad committee leader Jeff Boeyink. “His extraordinary experience in both traditional and new media will be beneficial as we move forward in our efforts. His addition shows growing momentum as Governor Branstad explores a possible gubernatorial bid.”

Albrecht, who ran the Iowa communications shop for 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney, also was the top spokesman for Rep. Christopher Rants when he was the speaker of the House.

Lately, Albrecht has run TheBeanWalker.com, a Drudge-like web site devoted to Iowa politics. The release quotes Albrecht saying a new publisher will run the site and will maintain its “integrity and independence.”

Jeff Boeyink, the newly hired head of Terry Branstad’s gubernatorial campaign, just forwarded the advisory from Des Moines University that the ex-governor will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Friday to make “an announcement related to his future with the University.”

The press conference follows a closed door meeting with students and faculty at Des Moines University.

Nice of him to do that.

Might this be the white smoke we’ve been waiting for?

The Draft Branstad committee announced today it’s reformulating.

This comes on the heels of the announcement that Jeff Boeyink, executive director of the state Republican Party, is taking the top staff job at Branstad’s gubernatorial campaign committee.

It also comes as Democrats complain the Draft Branstad group is breaking the law by expressly advocating the former governor’s election.

“Breaking the law at the start of your campaign” said Democratic Chairman Michael Kiernen, “really sends an awful message to Iowans about what kind of leadership you will offer going forward.”

Democrats said it’s illegal for the group, a 527, to directly back a candidate. And ever since the former governor filed papers last week he became a candidate, they say. (Charlie Smithson, the executive director of the state ethics board, appeared to be sympathetic, according to Radio Iowa. It reported today Smithson was suggesting the Draft Branstad group change its name).

Instead, Draft Branstad is declaring ‘mission accomplished’ and reformulating.

Sandy Greiner sent a statement today. She didn’t acknowledge the Democrats’ complaints, but said Boeyink’s hiring and Branstad’s filing last week convinced the group the ex-governor will run.

(By the way, Richard Schwarm, a Branstad associate, says neither insure the ex-governor will run. He’s still in the exploratory phase.)

At any rate, Greiner says:

“While Draft Branstad PAC will draw to a close, our efforts will not cease; instead we will continue this movement for change here in Iowa. Please follow our new organization — NextGenPAC — that will work day in and day out to perfect the change Iowans desire,” she said.

Terry Branstad’s still-unannounced campaign for governor gained a leading Iowa conservative today.

Jeff Boeyink, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa, is going to lead the committee.

Boeyink, a former president of Iowans for Tax Relief, seems to be yet another sign that Branstad will run for governor.

However, Richard Schwarm, a Lake Mills attorney who’s been associated with Branstad for years, says it’s only a sign of what the ex-governor “may” do.

Branstad has said he’ll make an announcement this month.