Rich Leopold talks with Washington citizens at Dodici’s Shop; photo by Joe Cerwinske

Although the election to pick the next governor of Iowa is nearly two years away, the first Democrat to declare his intentions to run has already hit the campaign trail with a visit to Washington. Rich Leopold, an ecologist and former director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, met with a handful of people at Dodici’s Shop in downtown Washington Friday morning. He initially was going to cancel the gathering due to an illness, but after consideration he decided to tough it out. He plans on visiting other small towns in Iowa in the many months before the 2018 Democratic primary.

Leopold, who has no other political experience, talked to those gathered about topics such as the divisiveness plaguing the state and country, mental health concerns, and water quality issues. A self-described political outsider, he says he’s tired of divisive partisan politics. He believes Iowa deserves a governor who has a backbone and character, and who will be candid, transparent, and fair. Leopold lives in Huxley, and holds degrees in animal ecology, biology, and natural resources technology. He was director of the Iowa DNR from 2007-2010 under former Governor Chet Culver.