Waterloo Legislator Running for Re-election, instead of U.S. House Seat

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State Rep. Walt Rogers is quitting his campaign for Congress to run for re-election to the Iowa House.

In a statement released Thursday, the Cedar Falls Republican bemoaned missing a vote this week because he was campaigning for Iowa's 1st Congressional District.

Rogers says, "It became apparent that I must choose between the two."

Without endorsing him, Republican Gov. Terry Branstad has spoken highly of Rogers as a prospect to take back the seat, now held by Democrat Bruce Braley, who is running for U.S. Senate.

Rogers says he's filing paperwork to run again for House District 60 in northern Iowa, leaving Republicans Dubuque businessman Rod Blum, Marshalltown lawyer Gail Boliver and Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje in the 1st District race.

Five Democrats are seeking the 1st District nomination.