Area leaders are getting a jump on the 2000 presidential campaign by announcing support for candidates.

Christie Vilsack, wife of Gov. Tom Vilsack, came to Iowa State Monday to show her support for Vice President Al Gore in the upcoming presidential election.

As an educator for 25 years, Vilsack said it was Gore’s education initiative that she found appealing.

“This idea of making sure we don’t have more than 17 students per classroom is important,” she said.

Another reason Vilsack is endorsing the vice president is because of the support the Gore family gave her husband during his run for Iowa governor.

“We got a lot of support from the administration, and we would not have won the election without their support,” Vilsack said. “Part of my commitment is also loyalty to people within the party and making sure that I personally pay back the political debt that I think I have.”

Gov. Vilsack is remaining neutral despite his wife’s support of Gore.

“He wants to make sure the candidates all have an equal playing field here in Iowa,” she said. “Once the party chooses a candidate, we will both be working as much as possible to support whomever the Democrats decide to choose as their candidate.”

Vilsack wanted to make it clear that her beliefs may be different than her husband’s. “Just because I’ve made a choice doesn’t mean that’s his choice,” she said.

State politicians also are publicizing their support for candidates.

Nine Iowa state legislators recently announced their support for former Sen. Bill Bradley, who also is seeking the democratic presidential nomination.

State Sen. Steve Hansen from Sioux City said this is the first time he has endorsed a candidate before the primaries.

“I think a lot of people were thinking the race was a done deal already,” Hansen said. “It’s time to let people know there are other choices out there.”

Hansen, who has spent eight years in the Iowa House of Representatives and the last five in the Iowa Senate, said many of his constituents see Bradley as a “fresh face.”

“The nice thing about Bradley is that he appeals to independent voters,” he said. “I think it’s particularly tough for vice presidents to win.”