Former U.S. Rep. Rod Blum is mounting a comeback bid for Iowa’s open 2nd Congressional District seat.
Blum, a Republican who represented northeast Iowa in Congress from 2015-19, joins a growing GOP primary field in the 2nd District following U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s decision to run for U.S. Senate.
“Representing the voters of Eastern Iowa in Congress was the honor of my lifetime, and I am ready to serve them again,” Blum said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “I was proud to stand with President Trump during my time in Congress and was honored to serve on his Iowa leadership committee for his most recent campaign. I know that President Trump needs more allies in the U.S. House who will support his America First agenda.”
Blum, of Dubuque, was elected to Congress in 2014 and won reelection in 2016. He was defeated in 2018 by Democrat Abby Finkenauer.
While in Congress, he served on the Small Business Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
In the release, Blum said he would invest $250,000 of his own money into his campaign.
Blum laid out a list of priorities for his campaign, including immigration enforcement, trade deals and lowering the cost of home ownership.
“My priorities will be to keep the border secure, ensure criminal illegal immigrants are deported, strengthen the U.S. economy through fair trade deals that put more money in the pockets of American workers, make our cities safe for families, support American energy independence, protect women’s and girls’ sports and private spaces, bring down the cost of home ownership for first time buyers and stand for the sanctity of life at all stages,” he said in the news release.
Blum holds a bachelor’s degree from Loras College and a master of business administration degree from the University of Dubuque. He previously worked as president and CEO of Eagle Point Software, then as owner of Digital Canal, another software company.
Blum said Congress needs more members “who understand the business world and what it means to create jobs, balance budgets and make tough decisions.”
“I look forward to working hard every day to earn the Republican nomination, hold this seat for our Republican majority next November and get to work protecting our constitutional freedoms as Americans,” he said.
The 2nd Congressional District covers 22 counties in northeast Iowa, including the cities of Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Waterloo and Mason City.
State Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, and former state Rep. Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake are also running in the Republican primary.
State Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Dubuque, has said she is seriously considering a congressional bid.
Three Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination in the 2nd District: Kathy Dolter, a U.S. Army veteran and former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College; Lindsay James, a state representative and an ordained Presbyterian pastor; and Clint Twedt-Ball, a Cedar Rapids resident and former nonprofit executive.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Former US Rep. Rod Blum running for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District