Iowa state senator Boulton announces bid for governor

Iowa Sen. Nate Boulton, a first-term lawmaker who represents a district that includes the east side of Des Moines, announced Thursday that he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor.

Boulton will join a lengthy list of Democrats who are running or considering a bid for the job next year.

'For too long the Branstad-Reynolds agenda has been about holding people back and taking away. I launch this campaign for governor knowing we are fighting for the soul of our state."

- State Sen. Nate Boulton

Announcing his bid for governor

Boulton won praise for his resistance to the Republican proposal in the Iowa Legislature this year to strip away collective bargaining rights for most of Iowa's public employees. Democrats lost the fight, but Boulton got attention across the state for his efforts.

'For too long the Branstad-Reynolds agenda has been about holding people back and taking away. I launch this campaign for governor knowing we are fighting for the soul of our state. We will put forth a vision for Iowa that enhances the quality of life for all Iowans by investing in education, rewards hard work, protests Iowa's resources and grows our rural economy,' Boulton said in a statement.

He was kicking off his campaign with an early morning appearance in Columbus Junction, his hometown.

Boulton, a lawyer, is new to the legislature. He was elected to a state senate seat just last year, replacing Sen. Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, who retired after 22 years in office.

In addition to announcing his candidacy, Boulton announced a list of supporters. His. campaign chair is state Sen. Pam Jochum, who represents a district in Dubuque and was president of the Iowa Senate last year.

The primary will be held in June 2018.