(Iowa City, IA) Iowa State Senator Mark Chelgren (R-Ottumwa) announced Tuesday he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) next November in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District race.
“Our political leadership is on a dangerous and destructive path,” Chelgren said. “However, the strength and beauty of our political system is that we do not have to close our eyes and hope for the best. In America, when the politicians chart a course over the nearest cliff, the people can grab the wheel and avert disaster. I am an ordinary citizen, just like you. And I am doing exactly that! I am announcing today I am running to be your next United States congressman.
“In America, the people have power that they seldom see the need to fully exercise. In this election, we can end the insane deficit spending, pursue tax policies that will restore economic growth, and enact legislation that will encourage small businesses to create jobs. We can do all of these things, and it starts with sending folks like Dave Loebsack and the rest of the never-saw-a-spending-bill-I-didn’t-like crowd back to the private sector, where folks work for a living.
“I thank God every day that I was fortunate enough to be born in a place called America. The great fortune of living in America – and in Iowa – are something we should never take for granted. Our freedom, and the vitality it creates, are more far more valuable than we often realize.
“They are also currently endangered. Endangered by career politicians who think they know better how to spend our money. Endangered by well-financed interests who game our political system for their own selfish ends. Endangered by mountains of debt that will take generations to pay down. Most of all, endangered by our own complacency. If we sit idle and watch these things destroy America, we will have only ourselves to blame. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing.
“I am not doing nothing. I’m going to win Iowa’s Second District Congressional seat, because the man in that seat is part of the problem, and I’m part of the solution.