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Three vie for right to challenge Vilsack: Gross, Sukup and Vander Plaats say attracting high-paying jobs to Iowa should be a priority in the next four years.

Article Excerpt
Despite lagging state revenues, Iowa should invest in economic development initiatives, the three candidates for the Republican gubernatorial nomination said in recent interviews with the Des Moines Business Record editorial board.

Vying for the GOP nod in Tuesday's primary election are Des Moines lawyer Doug Gross, Iowa House of Representatives Speaker Pro-Tempore Steve Sukup of Dougherty and Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats. The winner will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack in November.

GROSS: BETTER PLAN NEEDED

Gross, who cited dissatisfaction with the state's economic development efforts when he announced his decision to run for governor, said fundamental change is needed to improve Iowa's 38th place ranking among U.S. states in per capita income. "We don't have enough good-paying jobs," he said, pointing out that about half of Iowa workers earn $11 or less an hour.

Gross, who was press secretary for former Gov. Terry Branstad before becoming the managing partner of the state's third-largest law firm, said Iowa's best hopes for generating high-growth, high-wage jobs lie the areas of advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and information technology, the same focus for economic development identified by Vilsack. But, Gross said, the governor hasn't taken the next step to make Iowa more competitive in those industries.

The state's tax and regulatory structure should be overhauled "from top to bottom," he said....