Former Iowa DNR director announces bid for governor

Rich Leopold, a former director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor on Wednesday, choosing a seven-minute Facebook Live address to launch his bid.

Leopold, who directed the department under ex-Gov. Chet Culver, cast himself as an outsider and scientist who doesn't traffic in the typical political sound bites but instead takes an inclusive, systematic approach to policy.

'I'm literally an outsider,' he said in an address from Huxley. 'I'm a conservationist, a scientist.'

Leopold currently lives in Des Moines, where he is director of the Polk County Conservation Department.

Leopold, who is 52, is the first to dive into what will likely be a crowded pool of candidates seeking to run for governor next year. In an interview, Leopold said that he would be embarking on a tour of 30-some smaller Iowa communities. He, like many who have analyzed the 2016 election results, say there needs to be more attention paid to rural Iowa.

In his Facebook Live address, he noted that Iowa's smaller communities are losing people who have to leave to find jobs elsewhere. And he praised the wind industry, which he said he worked to help support.

Leopold also said there needs to be a 'large, dependable funding mechanism' to deal with water quality issues. But he added that there also are concerns, such as in the agriculture community, that need to be taken into account.

State lawmakers have been debating how to fund improved water quality, including the idea of a 3/8ths of a cent increase in the sales tax.

In his Facebook address, he called Iowa's water 'some of the filthiest' in the country.

Iowa Democrats are licking their wounds after a disastrous 2016 election cycle. Next week, the state legislature will gavel into session with Republicans in control of both the House and Senate. However, with Gov. Terry Branstad expected to be the new ambassador to China, the party also sees an opportunity in 2018.

In addition to Leopold, there are a number of current and former legislators who have been mentioned as candidates. They include Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, Sens. Liz Mathis, D-Robins and Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, and former Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal. Outgoing state Democratic Party Chairwoman Andy McGuire also has been mentioned.

Watch a replay of Leopold's announcement here: