Chet Culver facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chet Culver
Culver in 2010
41st Governor of Iowa
In office January 12, 2007 – January 14, 2011
Lieutenant	Patty Judge
Preceded by	Tom Vilsack
Succeeded by	Terry Branstad
29th Secretary of State of Iowa
In office January 15, 1999 – January 12, 2007
Governor	Tom Vilsack
Preceded by	Paul Pate
Succeeded by	Michael Mauro
Personal details
Born	Chester John Culver (1966-01-25) January 25, 1966 (age 59) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mariclare Thinnes ​ (m. 1993)​
Relations	John Culver (father)
Education	Virginia Tech (BA) Drake University (MA)

Chester John Culver (born January 25, 1966) is an American politician. He served as the 41st Governor of Iowa from 2007 to 2011. Before that, he was the 29th Secretary of State of Iowa from 1999 to 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Culver was elected governor in 2006. He tried to get reelected in 2010 but lost to former governor Terry Branstad. After leaving public office, he started an energy consulting firm. He also served on the board of directors for the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, appointed by Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Early Life and Education

Chet Culver was born in Washington, D.C. His father, John Culver, was a U.S. Senator from Iowa. Chet went to Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland.

He attended Virginia Tech on a football scholarship. In 1988, he earned a degree in political science. Later, in 1994, he received a master's degree in education from Drake University.

Career in Public Service

After college, Culver moved to Iowa. He worked for the state's Democratic Party. He also worked as a consumer and environmental advocate in the attorney general's office from 1991 to 1995.

After getting his master's degree, Culver became a teacher in Des Moines. He taught government and history at Roosevelt High School and Hoover High School. He also coached football and basketball.

Secretary of State of Iowa

In 1998, Culver ran for Secretary of State of Iowa and won. This office is in charge of elections and keeping official state records. At 32, he was the youngest Secretary of State in the United States at that time.

He was reelected for a second term in 2002. While in this role, he created the Iowa Student Political Awareness Club. This club helps students get interested in politics and voting.

Governor of Iowa

Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Governor Culver (right) in 2010

Governor Culver in 2010

In 2005, Chet Culver announced he would run for Governor of Iowa. The governor leads the state government. He won the Democratic primary election in 2006. Then, he won the general election against Jim Nussle with 54% of the votes.

Culver ran for reelection in 2010 with Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge. However, he lost to Republican Terry Branstad. Branstad was a former governor who won with 53% of the vote.

After Being Governor

After leaving office in 2011, Culver started the Chet Culver Group. This company works as a consultant in the energy field.

In 2012, President Barack Obama nominated Culver to join the Board of Directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. He served there until 2019. In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated him again for the same board. He rejoined the board on May 23, 2022.

Key Political Actions

As governor, Chet Culver took action on several important issues.

Stem Cell Research

Culver signed a law that made it easier to do certain types of stem cell research in Iowa. This new law allowed medical researchers to create embryonic stem cells through cloning. However, it did not allow human reproductive cloning. Culver said this change would "give hope" to people with diseases like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. He also suggested spending $12.5 million to build a stem cell research center at the University of Iowa.

2008 Floods

In 2008, major floods hit Iowa and other Midwest states. A poll in September 2008 showed that 60% of Iowans supported how Culver handled the floods. A year later, Culver and other state officials were upset about how slowly federal money was given out to help the affected areas.

In 2010, Culver suggested creating a $40 million "disaster relief fund" for the state. He also declared March 2010 as "Flood Awareness Month."

Minimum Wage

In 2007, Culver signed a law that increased Iowa's minimum wage. It was the first increase in ten years. The hourly wage went from $5.15 to $7.25.

Alternative Energy

Culver promoted Iowa as a leader in "alternative energy." He started a "power fund" to support this goal. This fund was a key part of his campaign for governor. Lawmakers set aside nearly $50 million for this effort over two years.

Electoral History

Chet Culver taking the oath of office to serve as a member of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation's board of directors, 2012.

Personal Life

Culver and his wife vote with children in 2007

Chet Culver is a Presbyterian. His wife, Mariclare, is a Roman Catholic. Mariclare is also a lawyer. She worked for the Office of the Attorney General.

See also

In Spanish: Chet Culver para niños