Ethanol plant designer joins Ted Cruz on campaign trail
POCAHONTAS, Ia. — The chief executive of an ethanol plant design firm stood side-by-side Thursday with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who has stated his opposition to a federal mandate that sets the minimum amount of ethanol blended into the nation's fuel supply.
Dave Vander Griend, the CEO of ICM Inc., joined Cruz and his presidential campaign on the fourth day of the Texas Republican's Iowa bus tour.
Vander Griend said he started talking with the campaign about a month ago after they sought clarity on ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard.
"We have spent the last month or so just educating, giving him information, giving him background, and helping him to understand that the RFS is not a long-term solution. We are already producing more ethanol than the RFS calls for," Vander Griend told the Register.
MORE:Ethanol questions dog Ted Cruz in Iowa | Cruz camp, RFS group trade bumper stickers
Cruz also cited Vander Griend in an op-ed he wrote and published Wednesday at DesMoinesRegister.com.
Ethanol and the RFS — and where Cruz stands on the mandate — have been a constant theme throughout Cruz's six-day tour this week. Cruz has said he opposes the mandate and wants to create a level-playing field for all parts of the energy sector.
This week he has emphasized that he supports a phase out of the RFS over five years. Cruz has also advocated that the Environmental Protection Agency loosen restrictions to allow a higher percentage of ethanol in gasoline.
Those statements prompted some to challenge whether Cruz was softening his stance on the RFS, a claim Cruz's campaign has denied.
Speaking to the Register, Vander Griend said the RFS "has been a great bridge, but no one has finished it." He said more regulatory changes would be needed to truly open the market for ethanol production and consumption.
"If these regulations get out of the way, we can stand on our own," Vander Griend said.
Gloria Gunderson from Rolfe, said she was more supportive of Cruz after hearing him speak here. Still, Gunderson said she is undecided on who to support come caucus night Feb. 1 and is deciding between Cruz, Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and possibly former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
"There's very few I would not want in" the White House, Gunderson said.
Toward the end of Cruz's speech here, crowd members started asking for an ambulance for a woman that had fainted. Cruz stopped his speech to check on the young woman.
After finding out she was OK, Cruz joked that the young woman fainted "after hearing the name Hillary Clinton."
WHERE IN IOWA?: Track presidential campaign visits across the state
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AT THE EVENT
SETTING: A Pizza Ranch in Pocahontas; Rustix Restaurant in Humboldt; an airplane hanger near Webster City.
CROWD: Between 100 and 120 people showed up at all of the stops, not counting media and campaign staff or volunteers.
REACTION: Cruz received enthusiastic applause, shouts and whistles of agreement and support at all three stops Folks attending in Pocahontas fought for room in the Pizza Ranch's main dining room.
WHAT'S NEXT: Cruz makes one more stops Thursday before continuing his Iowa bus tour Friday and Saturday.