Iowa Defense Alliance

An alliance of Iowans determined to defend traditional Iowa values.

Former GOP County Co-Chair Launches House Bid as Independent

tom-shaw-1We have been saying for some time that the people advocating for Republicans to compromise on our principles would only serve to drive the most loyal base from the party. A perfect example of this would the case of former Pocahontas County Republican Party co-Chair Tom Shaw. Mr. Shaw is appalled by the direction that some individuals seem to want to take the party in. As a result Mr. Shaw has withdrawn from the party and is now running for Iowa House District 8 as an independent. I was honored to have a conversation with Mr. Shaw yesterday morning during which he repeatedly cited efforts to move the party toward the “mushy middle” as his reason for leaving the party.

We had a lengthy discussion on the reasons he left the Republican Party. As I stated above he was extremely distressed about the direction that the Republican Party was taking. With high profile Republicans expressing their views that the party must abandon some of its core principles in order to win elections. He acknowledges that conservatives must focus on economic issues but doesn’t believe that it has to be at the expense of social issues. He asserts, and I wholeheartedly agree with him, that if we abandon the social issues that we will fail future generations.

One of the issues that stands out in our hour long conversation is his position on education. At one time Iowa was known for one of the best education systems in the nation, if not the world. In his view the decline of Iowa schools began when state government began to wrest control of school curriculum away from the local community. I think it goes without saying that Mr. Shaw is opposed to many of the recent education reforms enacted at the state level. He believes that if we want our schools to once again offer world class education we have to return control to the local school district and community. He goes on to express his dismay about proposals to enact more regulation on parents that home school their children. He sees the act of home schooling children as a matter of personal liberty.

Another hot button issue that we discussed was the recent ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court. He sees the ruling as a usurpation of legislative authority. He discussed some steps that can be taken to wrest legislative authority away from the Supreme Court and restore to the General Assembly. The first step would be for the Governor to place a stay on homosexual marriage. He even went as far as to say that Governor Culver acted in cowardice when he refused to do so. The next step would be for the Iowa General Assembly to pass a marriage amendment so that the people of Iowa would have the opportunity to vote on the issue. He stated that in order for this to happen the people of Iowa must speak up loudly to make sure that their voices are heard. He also stated that if a legislator refused to allow a vote then it is up to the people to replace that legislator at the ballot box. Throughout the discussion of this topic he repeatedly made the comment that by allowing the Supreme Court to get away with this would amount to judicial tyranny because there is little that the people can do to counteract their actions.

During our conversation we also discussed taxes and economic development. We both agreed that you cannot discuss one without the other because they are essentially the same. Lower taxes will inevitably lead to higher economic development. One of the chief complaints that Mr. Shaw has of the current legislative leadership was their efforts to repeal Iowa’s federal deductibility, calling Pat Murphy’s actions the night of the public hearing unconscionable. As far as property taxes go, he says that it is a local issue that should be dealt with at the local level. .

I could go on and on about the issues that Tom and I talked about, but one thing that is very clear to me. Tom Shaw is a man that stands on his principles. He is a true conservative. His withdrawal from the Republican Party indicates one thing. Mr. Shaw is a man that will not compromise his principles. He is the embodiment of principles over party. For more information on Mr. Shaw’s candidacy please check out his campaign website here.

June 18, 2009 - Posted by Al Bregar | Abregar, Politics | , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

9 Comments »

  1. Great post, abregar. It is refreshing to see a politician to take a principled stand and not worry about having the “R” behind his name, especially if the “R” no longer represents him.

    I had thought about leaving the party and becoming an Independent, but then I decided not to. The way I see it, the party is not theirs to have but ours to keep.

    Comment by Iowans Rock | June 18, 2009 | Reply

  2. What choice do we have when the party doesn’t listen to us. I get so fed up with the RPI saying they’re listening but then turn around and say “we have to accept some socialism.” It’s time that we the people return to our basic values. If we can’t do it as Republicans we can sure as hell try as Independents. RUN TOM RUN!

    Comment by GSDMusicman | June 18, 2009 | Reply

  3. Shaw sounds like my kind of candidate. Let’s hope that more Iowans with integrity will step up. We need them!

    Comment by Tom Cat | June 19, 2009 | Reply

  4. Good luck to Mr. Shaw. The GOP wouldn’t have helped him out anyway.

    Comment by All4Iowa | June 19, 2009 | Reply

  5. Best of luck, Tom, you’ll be lucky to get more than 7-8%. Sadly, that 7-8% will steal just enough support from the GOP candidate, to make sure that an anti-marriage, pro-labor Democrat wins the seat (after Mertz retires).

    Spare me the stuff about integrity and principles. The Republican Party in Iowa is as conservative as ever. We have conservative leadership and a conservative platform. Also, the House Republican caucus is also substantially conservative than in past years, too.

    Also, what is Mr. Shaw’s plan should be win? Who will get his vote for Speaker: Murphy or Paulsen?

    Comment by Billy D | June 22, 2009 | Reply

  6. Billy, I think that Mr. Shaw has more of a chance than you think. He is running for a house district which is not all that large. He already has name recognition. And he has been out talking with the people of his district. He also has the support of the GOP grassroots in the area. I think that the GOP candidate in that area would be more likely to get just 7 or 8 percent of the vote.

    As for who would get his vote for Speaker would naturally be the most likely be the more conservative of the two.

    Comment by abregar | June 22, 2009 | Reply

  7. Billy,
    I think it’s fair to say you don’t know Tom Shaw that well, I was his county chairman until he stepped down to run for his office, so I think I can say I know the district and Tom well. Hate to say it bud but integrity in principles matter in house district 8. If you notice, Tom only went after liberal to moderate people in his thing on Deace today and his piece by Albert. So Tom does have a chance, everything is in the soveriegnty of God, including his race.

    Michael Ryan
    Pocahontas County Chairman

    Comment by Michael Ryan | June 22, 2009 | Reply

  8. I still haven’t heard a compelling reason why Mr. Shaw doesn’t feel he should run under the GOP banner. All this article mentions is that he’s “appalled” by some of the people in the party. There are several very important questions left unanswered here:

    Who are these people with whom Mr. Ryan is so upset?

    Why does he feel said people hold enough influence to force him to leave the party?

    Since Mr. Ryan is running for the Iowa House, which House Republican leaders cause him so much distress?

    I’m sure Mr. Ryan is a fine man, and he is clearly right on the issues. However from an outside perspective (as a fellow conservative), it sure looks like there is more to the story than what is being told.

    Comment by Billy D | June 23, 2009 | Reply

    • Billy,
      First Mr. Ryan is not running for Iowa House lets clear that issue first.
      If you ever have a chance to talk to Tom, his cell is 712-845-6034 feel free to talk to him.
      Tom attended a listen and learn session and someone there told the crowd “we need to accept a little socialism” which was the tipping point for Tom. Especially when the State Central Committee Member running the meeting refused to take a stand on that issue by pointing out that socialism is neither acceptable to the GOP. Tom’s biggest issue is this the platform is being didregarded and thrown aside, and Tom sees the lack of action by some members of the State Central Committee, and being told by Matt Randall, Isaiah McGee that they feel the function of the party is to elect only republicans. When Tom (I know this becuase Tom is a close friend) feels the function is to push the platform, then we can have real Republicans. But If you have any questions feel free to talk Tom,he is open to talking.

      As for me, personally at this point I will be voting for him. As a chairman due to conflict of interest I will not work for him or the GOP candidate or give money to either personally. But thank you for your response Billy, if you have any questions to me feel free to call me at 515-974-9257, or email me at pockypastor@gmail.com. But I encourage you to talk to Tom, that is the right thing to do.

      Michael Ryan
      Pocahontas County Chairman

      Comment by Michael Ryan | June 23, 2009 | Reply


Leave a comment

« Previous | Next »