The article quoted Vilsack as saying: "We have a challenging time that speaks to the need for significant change ... It's a clean slate. It's a new beginning."
"He didn't want me to waste my talents in an administration that was not able to give me what I needed to succeed," Varn said in the Register article. "He knows I've been frustrated with where we've been."
Varn was a state representative for fours years and senator for 8 years. During that time, he created and chaired the first Communications and Information Policy Committee, and chaired the Education Appropriations, Human Services Appropriations, and Judiciary Committees.
He was the first Iowa legislator to install and use a computer in the Iowa legislative chambers.