Councilwoman Vernon launches 2016 bid for U.S. House

CEDAR RAPIDS — Rather than putting her feet up after two races last year, Cedar Rapids Councilwoman Monica Vernon is lacing up her running shoes again.

Vernon, an eight-year member of the council, is setting her sights on 2016 and a seat in the U.S. House. She will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge first-term Republican Rep. Rod Blum to represent Iowa's 20-county 1st District that includes Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls-Waterloo and Dubuque.

'Northeast Iowans deserve a representative in Congress with a track record of solving problems and getting results for families and small businesses,' Vernon said.

Describing herself as a 'working mom who understands that the deck is stacked against the middle class,' Vernon said she's proud of her work 'growing a small business, helping local communities recover from a devastating flood and working to create jobs, increase access to affordable housing and improve education for students in our district.'

In addition to having raised three daughters and starting a marketing and research business at her kitchen table, Vernon was just getting her feet wet as a councilwoman when floods devastated the Cedar Rapids downtown business district and riverfront neighborhoods.

Vernon, 57, believes she distinguished herself by leading and coordinating flood recovery efforts in Cedar Rapids as well as leading the charge to build a shelter for homeless women and children.

That's a contrast to Blum, who she called an 'obstructionist — someone who will obstruct rather than move forward.'

'Even on very first vote he showed himself to be someone coming out of the tea party,' Vernon said about Blum, who voted against Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner, 'a guy who came in and raised money for him.'

Vernon promised to work across the aisle to protect Social Security and Medicare, create good-paying jobs 'and give everyone a fair shake.'

Vernon conceded that it's early in the 2016 election cycle, but doesn't see a reason to wait.

'I'm getting in because I think Congress has been dysfunctional. We've got to move ahead and make progress for Iowans and our country,' said Vernon, who with her husband, Bill, has three daughters.

Besides, she's learned that it takes time to establish a campaign committee, raise money and organize volunteers.

'It takes time to really get things rolling,' Vernon said, 'so there's no time like the present.'

Vernon speaks from experience. In June 2014, she finished second with 23 percent of the vote in a five-way race for the Democratic nomination in the 1st District. Before the month was over, she was the party's lieutenant governor nominee. She and gubernatorial candidate Sen. Jack Hatch lost to GOP Gov. Terry Branstad.

Rather than dwell on the losses, Vernon said the campaigns introduced her to a lot of voters in the congressional district and statewide.

There's no guarantee Vernon will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Democrats speculate that former state legislator and utility regulator Swati Dandekar of Marion, who finished third in the Democratic primary with 18 percent of the vote, may run again.

However, Vernon expects her experience and ability to raise campaign money will win her the support of Democrats and the party's allies in her efforts to knock off a freshman congressman.

The 1st is one of the most Democratic districts represented by a Republican, which will make it a top priority for the party. Even before taking office Blum was designated a member of Roll Call's 'one-term caucus,'

The district skews Democratic. According to the Iowa Secretary of State, there are 22,000 more Democrats than Republicans among the district's 488,304 active registered voters.

Blum appeared to benefit from a GOP wave and a lack of enthusiasm for Democratic President Barack Obama. His 147,762 general election votes were equal to 109 percent of the active GOP voter registrations while Democrat Pat Murphy's 141,145 votes represented 89 percent of the Democratic voter base.

For more on the Vernon campaign, visit www.monicavernonforcongress.com.