DES MOINES -- After stinging losses in the November elections, Iowa Republicans are set to gather in Des Moines Saturday to pick a new leader of the state party.

The Republican Party of Iowa's 17 voting central committee members will be choosing a replacement for Chairman Stewart Iverson, who's held the post since early last year.

Many insiders say they expect a tight race for the post between Matt Strawn and former State Rep. Danny Carroll of Grinnell.

Strawn is a former Capitol Hill aide and is co-owner of the Iowa Barnstormers Arena Football team.

The 35-year-old said he wants to see the party rebuild from the ground up and embrace modern political technology.

"I think I bring fresh, energetic leadership to the party," he said.

Carroll, a pumpkin farmer, was known for his advocacy for conservative social issues during his six terms in the Iowa House.

Carroll declined to talk about why he's running for the position or what direction he thinks the party should take.

"I've tried to respect the committee's deliberation process. I know it's kind of a public sort of a thing, but in some ways it's kind of a family affair, too," Carroll said.

Also running for the position

Andy Cable, a small business owner from Eldora who serves as the GOP's co-chair in Hardin County. He thinks the state party needs to do more to help the party's county organizations.

"There's no way the Republican Party is dead, they just need a clear, concise message and some leadership," Cable said.

Christopher Reed of Marion, the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate last year, said the party needs to do a better job of marketing its message.

"We can't tell people what's wrong with the Democrat(ic) Party, we need to tell them what's right with the Republican Party," Reed said.

Matt Randall, an Ames businessman, said he wants to get more young people engaged in politics.

"I think we have not as deep a bench as we need, where we have identified candidates in counties � sitting on city councils or school boards," Randall said.

Isaiah McGee, a central committee member from Waukee, said he'll be looking for a candidate that can help end the division between so-called social conservatives and moderates in the party.

"That needs to stop. If we all consider ourselves Republicans, then that needs to be the case," McGee said.

Marlys Popma, a veteran GOP activist from Colfax, thinks the party needs to do a better job of defining itself and reaching out to independent voters that are likely to vote for Republicans.

"I think until we get to a time when we are really, really effectively doing that, we're going to have a difficult time winning, especially the federal races," said Popma, who had considered running for the chairmanship but ultimately decided against it.

Paul Pate, the former Cedar Rapids mayor and former Iowa Secretary of State, had announced his intentions to run for chairman but said Thursday he could be considered for the co-chair position instead.

"It's a better fit for what I can offer and what they're looking for," Pate said.

Contact Charlotte Eby (515) 422-9061 or chareby@aol.com.