A former Democratic leader in the Iowa House has signed on as co-chair of the Draft Biden effort in Iowa.

Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines was in the legislature for 11 years and he served as House Majority Leader for four years. In a statement released by the Draft Biden organization, McCarthy called Biden “the real deal” and McCarthy said Biden “would bring an unmatched combination of authenticity and electability” to voters. McCarthy said voters are “craving” someone like Biden.

McCarthy was chair of Biden’s 2008 campaign. In 2004, McCarthy was the state director for Joe Lieberman’s Iowa campaign.

Seven Democrats who are current members of the Iowa House and Senate have signed onto the Draft Biden effort, as have three former legislators, the Dubuque County Auditor and the Polk County Treasurer. In addition, the Draft Biden team has a new state director who worked on Biden’s 2007 presidential campaign in Iowa. Draft Biden is a “Super PAC” not directly affiliated with the vice president.

Biden’s oldest son died this summer and Biden said yesterday in Atlanta he and his family may not have the “emotional energy” for another campaign.