Republican Gov. Terry Branstad kicked off his re-election campaign on Wednesday night at the Hy-Vee Conference Center in Des Moines. He is seeking his sixth term in office, with Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds as his running mate.

If he wins the election, Branstad will increase his lead as longest-serving governor in United States history. His opponents include Democrats Jack Hatch and Paul Dahl.

Branstad, a native Iowan, served as governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999. He then served as president of Des Moines University before running for re-election as governor. He won his campaign and returned to the spot he has held since 2011.