MUSCATINE, Iowa — Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad told Muscatine County residents Saturday afternoon that he couldn’t think of a more wonderful place to announce his re-entry into politics than a countryside picnic in Wilton.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been on the campaign trail,” Branstad said Saturday during a fundraising  barbeque hosted by Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, on the Kaufmann family farm. “But this is a great place to start.”

Branstad, who said many Republicans and Democrats have asked him to to run for governor, was keynote speaker for the event.

The approximately 250 guests stood to applaud Branstad’s remarks, among them, Sen. Jim Hahn,

R-Muscatine; Muscatine County Supervisor Dave Watkins, Muscatine County Treasurer Jerry Coffman and Mark Lofgren and DeWayne Hopkins, Muscatine residents who are seeking the representative seat in District 80.

Another guest, Dawn Smith of Durant — who’s running for for mayor in Durant — recalled being the chef for the governor and his family in Des Moines from 1986-89. 

“Gov. Branstad said, ‘I don’t think you’ll last very long. I think one of these state troopers will probably marry you,’” said Smith, who recalled insisting to Branstad that she was devoted to her career. “Two years later, I was married, (to Iowa State trooper Robert Smith,) and moving to Durant.”

Branstad, who had just returned Saturday from a Hawkeye football game in  Iowa City, said he would also remember the day for another reason.

“This is the first time in  Iowa history the Hawkeyes have had a 9-0 season,” said Branstad. “I took off my coat off so you could see my Hawkeyes shirt. I’m a little fired up.”

Branstad, who is Iowa’s longest-serving governor, held the office from 1983-99. He retired last month after six years as president of Des Moines University.

He said his University salary was $300,000 annually and that he would earn approximately $130,000 a year if he were to succeed Gov. Chet Culver after the 2010 election.

Though he hasn’t yet said he will run for governor, he is scheduled to appear with other Republicans seeking the nomination at a Republican Party of Iowa fundraiser in Des Moines on Nov. 7.

“I believe we need a leader that can help restore fiscal responsibility,” said Branstad who had remarked earlier that Iowa had $900 million surplus in funds when he left office in 1999.

Branstad said the $830 million debt Iowa now faces translates into $1.7 billion in long-term debt.

He also said he would like to revisit the legislation of the legalization of gay marriage in the state.

“We need to give Iowans the right to vote on the definition of marriage,” said Branstad. “It’s not fair, it’s not right that we should let any single legislator get by with this dictatorship,” he said referring to Democratic leaders who have promised to block efforts to overturn an Iowa Supreme Court decision striking down a ban on same-sex marriage.

Jim Wiese of Iowa City said he was thrilled with the possibility of seeing Branstad as governor again.

“We need him getting back into politics,” said Wiese. “And it’s wonderful to see Americans getting together to give their support to bring Iowa back to the state we know it can be.