Vander Plaats in Le Mars Monday

Monday as part of his campaign trip, making appearances in every region of the state in the next week.

Vander Plaats will be at the Le Mars Pizza Ranch at 6 p.m., Monday to talk about his bid to unseat Gov. Chet Culver and outline his priorities for the state.

Throughout the week, he will also make stops in Marshalltown, Washington, North Liberty, Cedar Falls and Red Oak.

"Iowa needs a governor who is finally going to control the ridiculous level of state government spending -- and that's exactly what I'll do," Vander Plaats said in a news release. "I have some ideas about how to make that happen, including creating a fair tax structure for all businesses by ending the way government currently tries to pick winners and losers."

Vander Plaats is encouraging anyone with ideas about improving the economy and any aspect of government to join him at the Pizza Ranch Monday.

"We'll have an honest conversation about what to do to make Iowa's future better," he said.

Vander Plaats was the Republicans' 2006 lieutenant governor nominee.

He was a high school teacher and principal before being named chief executive officer of Opportunities Unlimited, a Sioux City non-profit organization that cares for people with head and spinal injuries. Vander Plaats and his wife, Darla, have four sons.