An Ames resident announced Wednesday morning his intent to run on the Democratic ticket in the Nov. 2002 election for the new 4th Congressional District, which includes Story County.

John Norris told the group of supporters, family and reporters that Iowans are looking for someone down to earth with common sense to represent them in Congress.

“They want a representative that shares their passion of making Iowa a better place,” he said.

Norris said he shares the values and beliefs of the people in Iowa, in that Iowans “care about their community.”

Strong support of public education – including state universities – is a major base of his campaign, he said.

“We need to focus on education to build the best system possible,” he said. “The Iowa State community needs a representative in the federal government that understands the important role Iowa State plays,” he said.

Norris’ wife, Jackie, who currently is attending Iowa State to get her degree in education, was among Wednesday’s attendees.

Norris said growing on the family farm in Red Oak and his initial public service rolls taught him the challenges that farmers face, leading him to support implementation of a farm bill to help family farmers.

“As state director for the Iowa Farm Unity Coalition, I saw the effects of our governments making laws that hurt the family farmer,” he said.

Norris said he also supports a prescription plan for senior citizens.

In addition to his role in the Iowa Farm Unity Coalition, Norris has served as state chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party and chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell and Gov. Tom Vilsack.

“I have the experience in government and the desire to help people,” Norris said.

State numbers show 2.5 percent more registered Republican than Democratic voters in the new district, but Norris says he “feels comfortable with the district.”

Jamie Rintelman, a Story County Democrat student volunteer, said the event went better than she expected.

“[Goals] were met and exceeded,” said Rintelman, graduate student in chemistry. “The room was packed, and everyone seemed really excited. The event went great.”

The Story County Democrats will help with Norris’ campaign in many ways, she said, including getting campaign information to students and Story County and help with events and fund raising.

Ames was Norris’ second stop in a weeklong campaign announcement tour that began in Marshalltown earlier Wednesday morning.

He plans to visit all 28 counties in the new 4th Congressional District.