Buttigieg's 2020 Iowa political director launches bid for governor
The Iowa political director of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign Julie Stauch announced Tuesday she is running for Iowa governor.
The launch sets up a Democratic primary contest between Stauch and Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, who launched his bid last month.
Stauch made the announcement on her campaign website, where she also posted a cover letter and resume. Stauch noted her experience working as the president of her own firm, as well as her roles as chief public affairs officer and vice president of governmental affairs of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.
'Iowans are disgusted with our elected leaders, and we want change. We are done with the destruction created by a Governor and Legislators who are destroying every aspect of our state, playing childish games with people's lives. We value our water, our soil, our children's futures, our schools, our communities, and our County Governments. We need leaders who embrace those values. I am one of those leaders,' Staunch said in a statement.
Stauch is the latest candidate to jump into the state's governor's race following Gov. Kim Reynold's (R) announcement last month that she would not seek reelection. In addition to Sand running in the Democratic primary, Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and former Iowa state Rep. Brad Sherman (R) are running in the GOP primary. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) is also considering a bid.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as 'lean Republican.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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