One of the first people to enter the race for the Republican Party nomination for the 2010 Iowa gubernatorial position was Cedar Rapids insurance executive Christian Fong, who hails from Underwood in western Iowa. Fong was the only thirtysomething in the field and he made his first public campaign event in Sioux City on Oct. 4, although the event was closed to the press.

In a pre-event interview, Fong laid out his vision for Iowa. I queried him as well on the broad field and whether he would remain in the race if former Gov. Terry Branstad enters the fray.

Here’s a bit from the piece: “Fong said he expects Branstad will seek the governor position and that some of the announced Republicans — a field that includes State Rep. Chris Rants of Sioux City, Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats, state lawmakers Rod Roberts of Carroll and Jerry Behn of Boone — will drop out. But Fong said he will not leave the field and will compete in the June party primary.”

I just got back from a two and a half hour county supervisors meeting to see e-mails and tweets galore on the fact that Fong has dropped out of the gubernatorial race. He’s citing a drying up of funding: “Our vision was clear, but the financial hurdles too great.” Lots of interest in summer was directed to learning the few donors who gave a combined $100K to Fong, which enabled him to run radio commercials a few weeks ago. That will be detailed when all the candidates reach the next campaign disclosure filing period on Jan. 19.

Fong’s departure leaves five GOP guys jockeying to oust Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat: Branstad, Rants, Vander Plaats, Roberts and Behn. I don’t foresee either of the two Sioux Cityans dropping out. Just now at 1 p.m. with the dropping of an e-mail by Rants weighing in on Fong’s move, he, Branstad and BVP have said the expected nice things about Fong.