At a 1 p.m. central time press conference today, many in Iowa expect former governor Terry Branstad to step down from his current post as president of Des Moines University, placing him one step closer to announcing a bid for a fifth term as governor. It's excellent timing for the announcement, as a new poll released today finds Branstad leading Gov. Chet Culver (D) by 5 points.

Culver is pushing back on the Branstad publicity today by releasing his first TV ad of the 2010 campaign.

The survey released today by Daily Kos/Research 2000 was conducted Oct. 12-14 of 600 likely voters and a margin of error of +/- 4%.

Governor
Culver 43 - Branstad 48 - Und 9

Culver 58 - Rants 28 - Und 14

The survey also found Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), running for a sixth term, leading four potential Democratic challengers -- all by double digits.

Senate
Grassley 52 - Krause 35 - Und 13

Grassley 51 - Conlin 39 - Und 10

Grassley 51 - Vilsack 40 - Und 9

Grassley 54 - Fiegen 31 - Und 15

**UPDATE: Branstad said this at his press conference, per the Des Moines Register: "I intend to retire as the president to fully explore the possibility of becoming a candidate for governor in 2010."