Leopold suspends Democratic campaign for governor

CEDAR RAPIDS - Six months after being the first Iowa Democrat to announce plans to run for governor, Rich Leopold is suspending his campaign because of problems with fundraising 'and difficulty in competing with the mostly political insiders.”

Leopold, director of the Polk County Conservation Department and former director of the Department of Natural Resources, said Democrats have told him the election of an outsider would renew their faith in state government.

'The reality of an outsider mounting a winning campaign in Iowa is slim,” Leopold 52, said in announcing the suspension of his campaign.

He had announced his candidacy Jan. 4 from the community center in Huxley. He and his wife, Kathleen, raised their family in Huxley, a small town south of Ames.

His campaign caught national attention and early success. He focused on being a political outsider, a scientist and former director of the Iowa DNR, and his executive leadership experience.

The field has become crowded since Leopold entered the race. Others expressing interest in the Democratic nomination include state Sen. Nate Boulton of Des Moines, state Rep. Todd Prichard of Charles City, former Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Andy McGuire, former Des Moines school board member Jon Neiderbach, Davenport Alderman Mike Matson, Coralville nurse and union president Cathy Glasson and Des Moines businessman Fred Hubbell.

Leopold called on Iowans to rebuild rural communities and protect the state from domineering and top-down political systems.

'Iowans deserve better management of government than they have been getting these past few years,” he said.

Leopold is encouraging voters to demand election reform.

'The more level the playing field, the better chance we have of putting in office those who can deliver on the needs of the people,” he said.

Although he's suspending campaign activities, Leopold said he's not done working in Iowa 'for cleaner water, equal and fair treatment of all people, resilience to climate change, strong and sustainable rural economies, and compassion in our mental and physical health systems.”