In a stunning development today, Christie Vilsack has told the Des Moines Register that she will run for the 4th Congressional Seat. She has plans to move to Ames, Iowa, home of the Iowa State Cyclones, and run against King.
King is one of the most conservative members of the House. He is a birther, believes Obama is a Muslim, has a mock up of the border fence in his office, and has never debated a Democrat for the House seat.
For the Des Moines Register article, go here. http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/...
Iowa Independent
http://iowaindependent.com/...
Her facebook page for the campaign.
http://www.facebook.com/...
For her website
King won his seat against a four other challengers by winning it in the convention. One of the adversaries to lose was former Speaker of the Iowa House, Brent Siegrist. Since winning the primary, King has never had a strong opponent. During that time, he has continued to move to the right of anyone he hears. He is significantly right of anyone else in the Iowa delegation, and even right of Michelle Bachman.
I know him pretty well from when he was in the Iowa Senate. He is a technologically knowledgable, and smart, but he truly believes his right wing hyperbolic rantings. I'm a teacher, and he once told me, "You know that multicultural education is simply a communist plot trying to destroy public education in this country. As a teacher, you must understand the nature.
Vilsack has not held office in Iowa. Her husband, Ag Secretary and former Governor, Tom Vilsack started his political career after a local citizen went to a city council meeting with a gun and shot several members of the council. Vilsack served admirably, and he was well respected for his intelligence. Christy is just as smart. She was a long time teacher.
During his husbands successful campaigns, she was known for her hats. She also visited every library in Iowa during her tenure as first lady. She had higher favorable ratings than any first lady in Iowa for a long time. She was always a good money maker for county Democratic parties as a main speaker. She helped statehouse candidates by appearing and campaigning with them. Even in this very red district, she has a better than even chance of winning.
I know I will be working with her campaign, and I hope to be on the county team for her support.
As a side note, Iowa has never sent a woman to congress. We have never had a woman governor either. Christy may be setting herself to break a lot of barriers for all of Iowa's women!