Rep. Jim Nussle, R-Iowa, is scheduled to speak in Ames on Thursday as part of a seven-day tour across Iowa to promote his 2006 governor campaign.

The eight-term Republican congressman from Manchester formally announced his plans to run for governor Wednesday, making him the second Republican to announce his candidacy. Bob Vander Plaats, a Sioux City consultant who unsuccessfully ran in the 2002 Republican primary, announced his bid in January.

“He’s going to be laying out where he sees the state currently in terms of leadership and where he wants to take the state,” said Maria Comella, communications director for Iowans for Nussle.

She said Nussle plans to discuss issues such as providing education, health care and job opportunities to Iowans. The event will not include a question and answer session.

“The format is more of a rally,” Comella said. “It’s really an opportunity for him to talk directly to the people of Iowa.”

Nussle’s wife, Karen Nussle, and Chuck Larson, chairman of Iowans for Nussle and former Iowa republican party chairman, are also planned to speak at the event.

Comella said because of Nussle’s tight schedule, he plans to leave soon after the conclusion of the 40 minute event. During Nussle’s week-long tour of Iowa, which started Wednesday in his hometown of Manchester, he plans to visit 50 cities in 37 counties.

The event is free and open to the public. The doors are slated to open at 5:15 p.m. in room 220 of the Scheman Building.

Nussle’s announcement makes him the fourth candidate to announce a 2006 bid for governor.

Gov. Tom Vilsack has already indicated he does not plan to run for re-election.

Two democrats, Rep. Ed Fallon, D-Des Moines, and businessman Sal Mohamed of Sioux City, have already announced plans to run in 2006.

Travis Brock, political director for the Iowa democrats, said Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Michael Gronstal and Iowa Economic Development Director and former congressman Mike Blouin are considering running.

“They haven’t set forth any particular timetable,” Brock said.

He said they both indicated they will make a decision this summer.

Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver announced the creation of a 50-member exploratory committee Tuesday to examine a potential 2006 bid for governor.