Eric Branstad

Eric Branstad (born 1975) is an American political consultant, lobbyist, and public relations professional. He is the son of Terry Branstad, the former Governor of Iowa and US Ambassador to China. In 2023, it was announced that he would serve as a senior advisor to Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign in Iowa.

Early and personal life Branstad is the son of Terry and Christine Branstad. He has two younger siblings, Allison and Marcus.

In 1991, Branstad was involved in a car crash that killed two people. He paid $34.50 in fines and court costs for improper passing. The relatively light penalty was seen by many Iowans as an example of his father's political influence. In 1992, Branstad was convicted of public intoxication at an after-school party. In January 1993, Branstad pleaded guilty to using a fake ID in an attempt to purchase alcohol.

Branstad is a graduate of Rockhurst University. He is married to Adrianna and has four daughters.

Political activities

George W. Bush 2004 presidential campaign Branstad was named field director for the George W. Bush 2004 presidential campaign.

Lobbying activities Following the Bush 2004 campaign, Branstad was named Deputy Finance Director of the Republican Party of Iowa. He subsequently spent two years as an Account Manager with the Lincoln Strategies Group (a firm co-founded by Charles W. Larson Jr., the son of a political appointee by Branstad's father) and the Development Director for Iowans for Tax Relief. He was state director for America's Renewable Future, a pro-ethanol group opposed to the candidacy of Ted Cruz in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries due to Cruz's position on the Renewable Fuel Standard, a mandate that "requires corn-based ethanol and other biofuels be blended with gasoline." On January 9, 2016, Branstad's father Governor Terry Branstad called for Ted Cruz's defeat due to Cruz's rejection of ethanol subsidies. On the night of the 2016 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses, Branstad publicly spoke on Donald Trump's behalf at a middle school in Des Moines. After Cruz won the 2016 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses, the elder Branstad accused Cruz of underhanded tactics.

In February 2018, Branstad was announced as the head of Mercury Public Affairs LLC (a subsidiary of the Omnicom Group) new office in Des Moines, Iowa.

Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign In March 2016, Branstad tweeted in defense of Donald Trump for mocking the appearance of Ted Cruz's wife, Heidi.

Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign In August 2021, Branstad was hired by Trump's Save America PAC, fueling speculations that Trump may run again in 2024.

In January 2023, Branstad was hired by Trump 2024 presidential campaign.

Controversies

Proposed nuclear technology sharing with Saudi Arabia While working at the Department of Commerce, Branstad became entangled in a controversy involving Rick Gates and Tom Barrack. Rick Gates asked Branstad to pass along the request to Commerce Department staff and an endorsement was granted.