Republicans who say they’re considering joining the race for Iowa governor:

Bob Vander Plaats

Age: 46

Career: CEO of MVP Leadership, former teacher. Ran for governor in 2002 and 2006. Candidate for lieutenant governor on Jim Nussle’s ticket.

Hometown: Sioux City, grew up in Sheldon

Vander Plaats has been one of the most visible Republicans considering a run next year and has formed an exploratory committee. Vander Plaats has been

critical of Gov. Chet Culver for not coming out in favor of a

constitutional amendment

banning gay marriage after an Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalized it.

Rod Roberts

Age: 51

Career: Iowa House 2001 to present, Carroll Community School Board 1996-2000. Currently Development Director for Christian Churches/Churches of Christ.

Hometown: Carroll, grew up in Zearing

Roberts says he’s seriously considering a run for governor and should make a decision

this summer. The five-term member of the Iowa House describes himself as a social and fiscal conservative but cites an ability to work across party lines.

He acknowledges any Republican running against Culver will have to raise large amounts of cash to be competitive.

“That’s a significant challenge,” Roberts said.

Christopher Rants

Age: 41

Career: Iowa House 1993 to present, 1999-2002 House majority leader, 2002-2006 House speaker, 2006-2008 House minority leader

Hometown: Sioux City

Rants

says he has logged 4,500 miles meeting with activists and donors to raise the seed money needed to launch a campaign. He’s expected to make a decision in early June and said he has solid conservative credentials on both social and economic issues.

“If we’re going to fly next November, we need to have both wings of the party in working order, and I think I can do that,” Rants said.

Mike Whalen

Age: 54

Career: Founder, president and CEO of Heart of America Restaurants & Inns; ran for Congress from Iowa’s 1st

District in 2006.

Hometown: Bettendorf

Whalen said he “hasn’t ruled it out, and I haven’t ruled it in” and that the decision would depend in part on who else gets into the race.

“Right now, it looks like we’re going to have a pretty good choice of candidates,” Whalen said.

Bill Northey

Age: 49

Career: Farmer, elected Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2006

Hometown: Spirit Lake

Northey said he hasn’t

made up his mind and expects to announce his decision this summer.

“I think

certainly there’s an opportunity for Republicans to put up a good challenge and to present a different view than the direction we’re headed,” Northey said.

Steve King

Age: 59

Career: Congressman from Iowa’s Fifth District 2003 to

present, Iowa Senate 1997-2002, earth moving contractor

Hometown: Kiron, grew up in Storm Lake

King is keeping his options open.

“I don’t go to bed at night thinking about it nor getting up in the morning thinking about it,” King said during an April television appearance.

Jeff Lamberti

Age: 46

Career: Iowa House 1995-98, Iowa Senate 1998-2006 in the Senate, Senate President 2004, Senate Co-President 2005-06. Ran for Congress in 2006 from Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.

Hometown: Ankeny

Lamberti said just months ago he would have been a definite “no” on the idea of running for governor. But he said he’s now thinking about getting into the race because of the state’s financial situation, which he said is heading toward a budget crisis.

“I think what the people of Iowa are looking for is somebody who’s a strong leader and a strong manager,” Lamberti said. He’s set no firm deadline on when he’ll make a decision.

Jerry Behn

Age: 55

Career: Farmer, Iowa

Senate 1997 to present, former Boone County supervisor.

Hometown: Boone

Behn said he could make a decision in the next week.

“I’m just having to look at all the options — it’s just that simple,” he said.