Cedar Rapids businesswoman announces her bid for US Congress in Iowa's First District

Cedar Rapids businesswoman and City Council Member Monica Vernon has announced she is running to represent Iowa's First Congressional District. 

A long-time business owner and mother of three, Vernon spent nearly 30 years raising a family, growing a business and serving the community through her volunteer work, and more recently as a Cedar Rapids city councilwoman. 

Vernon has helped Cedar Rapids set the course for sustainable growth. "Since the devastating storm of 2008, I have continued to work with other local, regional and national leaders on forward thinking, short and long term strategies to spur economic development, improve neighborhood safety and revitalize areas affected by the floods."

Vernon is seeking the Congressional seat currently held by Congressman Bruce Braley, who announced earlier this year that he would be seeking the US Senate seat from which Democratic Senator Tom Harkin will retire in 2014.
 
The First District includes 20 counties in northeast Iowa; inclduing Winneshiek County.