Republican primary battle looms to choose Gronstal's opponent

The Des Moines Register reports that potential candidates are already jockeying to run against Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs, targeted by gay marriage opponents for his refusal to allow anti-gay marriage initiatives to be voted on in the Iowa Senate.

Republicans will hold a candidate forum in June to feature Council Bluffs residents who would like to run against Gronstal, the Iowa Senate majority leader who has become a target for not allowing a vote on restricting abortions or on starting the process of a statewide referendum on banning same-sex marriage.
     Jeff Jorgensen, chairman of the Pottawattamie County Republicans said today he has “a very qualified candidate who has agreed to run,” without naming the person. But at Tuesday night’s party meeting, Jorgensen said, he learned other candidates are now looking to enter the race.
     “This is a good indication that Gronstal is weak in this election cycle and people know it,” Jorgensen said. “I don’t ever recall having to hold a Republican primary to get a candidate to run against Gronstal.”