Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell has selected State Sen. Rita Hart as his running mate.
"The rural economy is something that's important to me." -Sen. Rita Hart
Hart will be officially nominated as lieutenant governor today when Democrats meet for their state convention in Des Moines.
Hart describes herself as an educator, farmer, mother, and volunteer. She is serving her first term in the Iowa Senate. She taught in the Calamus-Wheatland and Bennett Community School Districts for over two decades. She and her husband Paul operate a family-owned century farm near Wheatland in Clinton County.
Hart was one of several female legislators or former legislators being mentioned for the job and the only farmer in the group.
“The rural economy is something that's important to me,” Hart said in a telephone interview Friday night. “It’s something we need to be focusing on in this state.”
"I think the biggest challenge will be...to hold the governor responsible for her record." -Sen. Hart
In the State Senate, Hart served on agriculture and natural resources committees and has championed fully funding K-12 schools and expanding job training for Iowa workers.
Some insiders had named Hart as a likely nominee, but she said she was only first approached by Hubbell this week:
“I had to really think and talk to my family about it and so this week it all took place and here we are,” Hart said.
Hart vowed to hold Gov. Reynolds accountable as she campaigns across the state.
“I think the biggest challenge will be….to hold the governor responsible for her record,” Hart said.
Republicans will also hold their state convention today, and will nominate acting Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg to run on the Republican ticket with Gov. Reynolds.
