Matt Campbell

MANNING – Matt Campbell, of Manning, was scheduled Wednesday to announce his candidacy to represent Iowa’s 5th Congressional District.

Campbell made his candidacy official at the Manning American Legion Hall, then traveled to Sioux City and held a second news conference at Morningside College. He held a third news conference in Council Bluffs.

As a Democrat, he is lining himself up to take on incumbent Steve King, R-Storm Lake. But first he’ll have to hold off a Democrat primary challenge from Mike Denklau, of Council Bluffs.

Campbell is a sixth-generation Iowan whose family’s roots in Iowa date to 1852. His family has owned and operated an Iowa Century Farm near Manning since 1880. He graduated in 1993 from Morningside College in Sioux City with a double major in political science and economics. He earned his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. Campbell is also a 2001 graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where he obtained an master’s degree in taxation.

For more than the 10 years, Campbell has worked extensively on domestic and international business issues.

Campbell said he recognizes that the Iowa 5th Congressional District needs representation that can comprehensively address the nation’s complex issues by putting the interests of the American people before party politics or special interests.

He particularly wants to lead economic development in the region for good jobs and in supporting policies that will promote financial sector reform and stability. He further wishes to fine-tune tax policies to provide for American competetiveness, yet still trim the federal deficit.

Collectively, these actions will promote greater opportunities for all Americans and ensure a strong America.

While at Morningside College, Campbell was a volunteer, intern and temporary caseworker for Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and helped campaign for Harkin in Iowa and New Hamphshire when he ran for U.S. President.

If elected, Campbell would not be the first Democratic congressman from Manning. John Hansen was elected to U.S. Congress in 1962 of the then 7th District of Iowa.