Jeff Lamberti, a Republican lawyer from Ankeny, today formally kicked-off his campaign to knock Democrat Leonard Boswell out of Congress. Boswell, who is 72-years-old and represents Iowa’s third district — including Des Moines, has repeatedly said he’ll seek reelection and has issued statements saying he’ll soon return to a “vigorous schedule” after undergoing abdominal surgery and spending a couple of weeks in the hospital.

Lamberti, who will celebrate his 43rd birthday on Friday, does not mention Boswell by name in making today’s (Monday’s) announcement. “Our message is that Iowa’s a great state but it can do better and that what we need is a proven leader who can get things done,” Lamberti says. “I have a record of getting things done in my years in the legislature and we can be better but to be better, it takes more than promises. It takes actions.”

Lamberti was first elected to the state legislature in 1992 and he served as “co-president” of the state Senate this past year as Democrats and Republicans held an equal number of seats. “I’ve got a record of getting things accomplished,” Lamberti says. “I’d like to take that leadership and that proven record to work on the issues facing Iowa and facing the nation at the federal level.”

Lamberti says one of the issues he plans to pursue will be national security, and he’ll especially push to “secure” the nation’s borders. “People want action, not just words,” Lamberti says. “I’m not really somebody who spends a lot of time talking. I spend more time doing, and we certainly need action on securing our borders.” Lamberti says he’ll also press to cut federal spending in hopes of further reducing the deficit. Lamberti’s last name may sound familiar. He is the son of Don Lamberti, founder of the “Casey’s General Stores” convenience store chain.