Former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack and her husband — the current U.S. Ag Secretary — are moving to Ames next month, setting up a likely showdown between Christie Vilsack, a Democrat, and Republican Congressman Steve King in the 2012 election.
Congressman King lives in the new fourth congressional district and by moving to Ames, Christie Vilsack will live there, too. She has formed an exploratory committee for a congressional race and issued a written statement.
Christie Vilsack said “serving Iowa is both a privilege and a responsibility” and she wants to have a conversation with residents of the fourth district about “Iowa values.” Christie Vilsack said “input from fellow Iowans” will help her run a campaign “focused on collaboration and results” which she indicated would yield “a new way to do business in Washington.”
If she is successful, Vilsack would become the first woman in Iowa to be elected to congress.