Early Eastern Iowa Congressional Candidate Announces Intentions

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic City Council member from Cedar Rapids says she'll run for Iowa's 1st Congressional District seat in 2016.

Monica Vernon announced her plans Thursday. Vernon ran in the Democratic primary for the seat last year, coming in second place. After that she ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor last year on a shared Democratic ticket with governor candidate Jack Hatch.

Republican Rod Blum won the 2014 election to represent the district, which covers the northeastern part of the state.

In a news release, Vernon says she'll focus on the middle class and job creation.