From the Iowa Republican:

With his daughter, Kendra, in his arms, Matt Schultz was sworn in as Iowa’s 31st Secretary of State yesterday. Schultz is the first Republican to hold the office since Paul Pate. Pate was Iowa’s Secretary of State from 1995 to 1999.

Schultz’s victory in November continues an incremental approach by Republicans to win control of the state’s five constitutional offices. Schultz’s victory continues the Republican streak that began with Dave Vaudt being elected State Auditor in 2002, followed by Bill Northey being elected Secretary of Agriculture in 2006.

Schultz did something that neither Vaudt nor Northey had to do to win their seats – beat an incumbent. While most will point to the favorable political environment as the reason why Schultz was able to win, the real reason for his victory is the same thing that helped Vaudt and Northey win their first campaigns – a focus on specific issues.

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