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Iowa Gov. Denies Dodging Queries on Discrimination Suit

Iowa Gov. Denies Dodging Queries on Discrimination Suit

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Gov. Terry Branstad says he's just too busy to deal with questions on a gay former employee's discrimination suit.

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Some observers are accusing Iowa governor Terry Branstad of avoiding questions about a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former state employee who's gay -- but the governor denies this, saying he's simply busy.

"I am running for governor," Branstad, who is up for reelection in November, told The Des Moines Register Monday. "I have a very active schedule."

Former workers' compensation commissioner Christopher Godfrey filed the suit, alleging that he faced discrimination for being gay, plus extortion and defamation. He also says state officials tried to force him to resign and used illegal tactics in doing so. He left the position in August to take a job with the federal government.

Branstad says he never discriminated against Godfrey. "I treat everybody with respect and dignity," the governor told reporters Monday. He also said Godfrey has delayed the proceedings in the suit, but Godfrey's lawyer said Branstad is the one causing the delay.

"We have done nothing to delay this lawsuit," lawyer Roxanne Conlin told the Register. [Branstad] has done absolutely everything that could be done to delay this lawsuit." He and his staff, she said, have been uncooperative about answering questions and providing documents, and she had to get a court order to compel them to do so. Branstad's remarks about Godfrey delaying the suit, she added, are "disgusting."

Branstad is scheduled to appear in state court November 26 to answer questions related to the suit -- his lawyers objected to September and October dates. Godfrey has filed a lawsuit in federal court as well, but it is on hold while the state proceedings go on, Conlin said.

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Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.
Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.