Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jack Hatch announced his running mate June 17. Monica Vernon, a Cedar Rapids City Council member, will be on Hatch’s ticket as the lieutenant governor candidate.

Vernon, who was originally elected as a council member in 2007, is now serving her second term in Cedar Rapids. She was also a business owner and founded Vernon Research Group, a marketing research firm that she ran for more than 26 years.

Hatch praised Vernon’s work during her time as a council member. Vernon was a member during the historic flooding of Cedar Rapids in 2008 and helped coordinate the recovery efforts of the city.

Although on the Democratic ticket, Vernon began her political career as a Republican. She changed her political affiliation to Democrat in 2009.

In addition to being a politician and business owner, Vernon has spent time as a journalist working for The Cedar Rapids Gazette. She also held the position of community relations director for Mount Mercy University.

Vernon has lived most of her life in Iowa and received a BA in journalism and an MBA in business, both from the University of Iowa.

Hatch and Vernon will be running against Republican incumbents Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. Elections will be Nov. 4.