Ravi Patel, a small business owner and entrepreneur from Cedar Rapids, has decided to jump into the race for Congress in Iowa’s first district.

Patel, a Democrat, is looking to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, who was elected last November and is currently serving his first term in Congress.

“I am not a politician. I am a pro-growth progressive,” Patel said in a press release announcing his campaign the morning of Feb. 16. “I have a track record of growing businesses that give back to their communities and provide good-paying jobs that Iowans need.”

The release said Patel’s campaign would focus on “broadening economic opportunity for Iowa families.”

“Problems that challenge all of us require solutions that include all of us,” Patel said. “It is my hope that my candidacy will inspire the kinds of conversations our political system deserves. We need a fresh perspective, we need new leadership and we need innovative thinkers who are genuinely interested in seeing our country succeed.”

The announcement comes just more than a month after Cedar Rapids Council Member Monica Vernon, who ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor with former state Sen. Jack Hatch in the 2014 gubernatorial elections, announced she would run for the seat, as well.

The first district, which includes most of northeastern Iowa, is a swing district that Obama won in the 2012 presidential election, but Blum was able to narrowly win in the 2014 midterm elections.

“Right now, America is experiencing the dawn of the New Economy. For us to continue our success, we need a compassionate agenda for Iowa’s working families. This means we must stand up for pay equity, invest heavily in a robust education system and work toward meaningful reforms to our immigration system,” Patel said, mentioning some themes voters will see during his campaign.

Patel is the president of Hawkeye Hotels, which houses its corporate headquarters in Patel’s hometown of Burlington and operates hotels in 16 states.

Patel serves on the Kirkwood College Hospitality Advisory Board, the University of Iowa College of Business Alumni Board and the State of Iowa Hospitality and Tourism Committee.

Patel, who is only 29, graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Business Management and a certificate in Entrepreneurship.