Nate Boulton (D) announced his run for governor yesterday morning in his hometown of Columbus Junction.

The avid marathon runner, Boulton kicked off his “Run With Nate” campaign Thursday, with a six-day statewide tour that will visit 16 cities. Boulton comments on announcing his campaign in his hometown, “We had a fantastic reception in Columbus Junction this morning with fairly short notice, we had a great turnout and a lot of familiar faces, friends and family coming out with enthusiastic support and people are excited about this campaign.”

Boulton talks about the campaign being a fight for the soul of the state, “I think what really has emerged throughout this last year of the Branstad and Reynolds administration and having a Republican House and Senate to carry out their objectives has shown a very different Iowa than I think most Iowans would like to believe our state seeks to be. When we talk about the soul of our state, we’re talking about world class schools, strong and safe communities, we’re talking about quality economic development and job growth that is reflective of a quality workforce, so I really think we’re talking about the soul of the state in this campaign.”

Boulton is in his first term as State Senator for District 16. He practices in labor law and workers compensation law, and has taught law at Drake Law School and Simpson College.