Iowa GOP blasts Dem candidate for his success

DES MOINES, Iowa — For a Republican Party that celebrates capitalism and the American dream of building wealth, the GOP’s initial line of attack against the new Iowa Democratic nominee for governor appears a bit out of character.

Fred Hubbell, a former life insurance executive whose family wealth dates back to the mid-1800s, won the Democratic nomination Tuesday and will face Gov. Kim Reynolds in November. Almost immediately, Reynolds and party leaders questioned how voters could trust a candidate who was born rich and later served in leadership roles at several companies. Hubbell’s family businesses in Des Moines include ties to real estate and insurance.

“The issue isn’t that Fred Hubbell has been rich his entire life, it’s that he has no idea what it’s like not to be,” said Reynolds during her election night speech. “He has no idea what it’s like to balance a family checkbook or to make the tough decisions most of us make each and every day when we’re trying to make ends meet.”

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann has chimed in by repeatedly referring to Hubbell, 67, as “Prince Frederick.” On election night, the party posted an image of Hubbell on its Facebook page as the Monopoly board game mascot with bags of money surrounding him.

Never mind that Reynolds and Iowa GOP party leaders are big supporters of President Trump, a rich businessman who surrounds himself with conspicuous wealth at his lavish properties such as Mara-Lago. In the Iowa governor’s race between a woman of modest means and a man who donated nearly $3 million of his own money toward his primary race, the GOP so far is zeroing in on personal wealth.

It’s a strategy tried before as more rich candidates run for office from both parties, many of them also funneling millions of dollars to fund their own campaigns. In neighboring Illinois, Democrat J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire member of the family that founded Hyatt hotels, has put more than $100 million of his own money into his bid to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, a wealthy former private equity investor.

Jesse Dougherty, communications director for the Republican Party of Iowa, said they’re trying to show a contrast between Hubbell and Reynolds. The former county treasurer was elected lieutenant governor and elevated to governor in May 2017 when Terry Branstad became U.S. ambassador to China. She’s now seeking a full term.

Barbara Rodriguez is an Associated Press writer.

Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell addresses supporters Tuesday in Des Moines. Republicans accuse him of being out of touch with the average working person.