Race for governor opens a debate over closure
When Fred Hubbell, the Democratic nominee for governor, was chairman of Younkers department stores in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the chain closed some of its smaller stores in smaller Iowa cities. Republicans have pounced on those closures as evidence Hubbell cares little about rural Iowa.
“If you think eliminating jobs in rural Iowa is the right way to lead, then you don’t know Iowa,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said during remarks last month in Boone.
It’s a line of attack that’s popped up repeatedly during the opening weeks of the campaign, alongside pointing out “Prince Frederick” is wealthy. And it’s fair game. Without a record as an elected official, Hubbell’s record as a businessman certainly deserves scrutiny. Stores were closed and jobs were lost. The buck stopped with Hubbell.
But it’s also fair game to recall and consider the wide array of closures spawned through decisions made by the Branstad-Reynolds administration. It’s a long list.
Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/staff-columnist/in-iowa-race-for-governor-opens-a-debate-over-closure-20180715
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