Bruce Braley faces challenger

WATERLOO, Iowa - A retiree says he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Rep. Bruce Braley for the 1st District congressional seat.

Mike LaCoste says he hopes his common-sense approach in solving problems will boost his bid for the GOP nomination.

LaCoste, a John Deere retiree, is the latest to announce plans to seek the Republican nomination. Others seeking to challenge Braley include Independence lawyer Ben Lange, Jim Budde of Bellevue and Will Johnson of Dubuque. Brian Cook of Manchester recently withdrew from the race.

LaCoste in 2004 made an unsuccessful bid as an independent for a seat on the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors.  LaCoste, who says the Republican Party better represents what he stands for, also says he supports a fair tax and believes reducing the income tax will spur economic growth and create jobs.