Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | spring 1999

SPRING 1999
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LT. GOVERNOR SALLY PEDERSEN

A state that his historically rejected elected leadership from women is taking note of non-traditional newcomer Sally Pederson, a 1972 ISU graduate in institutional management.

It wasn’t supposed to happen. It had been 32 years since Iowa had a democratic governor, and the conventional wisdom was that democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Vilsack and running mate Sally Pederson didn’t have a chance.

But in the strange election year of 1998, when nothing happened quite like it was supposed to, Vilsack soundly defeated opponent Jim Ross Lightfoot and swept ISU alumna Sally Pederson into power as lieutenant governor.

And now, Iowans are waiting to see what this calm, committed 48-year-old will bring to an office that has had little history of influence. As a year-round, full-time position elected on a dual ticket with the governor, the lieutenant governor office in Iowa is only six years old.

The team is promising a more visible, influential lieutenant governor. But Pederson seeks to influence a state that has traditionally withheld elected power from women. Only three other states have a worse record than Iowa for sending women to the governor’s mansion, state legislature, and to the U.S. House and Senate.

The combination of compassion and authority that Pederson brings to the office may prompt her public to pay attention. Although she has never before held public office, Pederson is well respected in the state’s human services community. In 1984, she quit her position as senior food editor for Better Homes and Gardens at the Meredith Corporation to be at home with son Ronald, who has autism. She became a leader both locally and nationally in advocacy for people with disabilities.

Pederson says she is moved when she hears people voice needs at public budget hearings. “When people from around the state take the better part of their day to come to Des Moines and have five minutes on the agenda to talk about an issue, it’s important for us to pay attention. I’ve been on the other side of the process. I’ve gone to hearings where I’ve tried to define the problems,” she says. “I think I have a real sensitivity to hearing these people and taking to heart what they have to say.”

Pederson, who was working on Vilsack’s campaign when he asked her to be his running mate, was confident from the beginning that he would win. “Vilsack is a man who has a tremendous mind. He also has a very good heart. I think those are the two best qualifications for public service. If you’re intelligent and can grasp the problems and then you’re compassionate and want to make a difference in people’s lives – that’s the right combination.”

Such a combination must be what prompted Vilsack to choose Sally Pederson as his running mate.

Read on | Mike Witmer