Branstad Calls for anti-Cruz Vote on Ethanol

Source: By The Associated Press • Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says Iowans shouldn’t let Texas Sen. Ted Cruz win his state’s lead-off caucus because he opposes continued federal government support of ethanol.

Branstad, speaking at a renewable fuels conference near Des Moines Tuesday bluntly said he wants Cruz defeated in Iowa.

A Republican who has not endorsed a candidate, Branstad says Iowans should not support anyone against something “critically important to the economic well-being of our state.”

Cruz supports phasing out a federal policy that sets a minimum for the amount of ethanol blended in the nation’s gas.

Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production.

Cruz backer Rep. Steve King calls Branstad’s move an “unendorsment,” and says Branstad is, by default, supporting Donald Trump, who is at the top of Iowa preference polls with Cruz.

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