State Sen. Charlie McClintock announced Thursday he will run for the open 2nd Congressional District seat in northeast Iowa, setting up what is expected to be a crowded Republican primary.

McClintock, a Republican from Alburnett, said he will soon file paperwork but has formally declared his candidacy.

“This is not exploratory,” he said in an interview, noting he would return to his state Senate seat if not successful.

McClintock was reelected in November and his seat is not up again until 2028.

He announced Thursday at a luncheon of the Linn Eagles, a Republican fundraising group, and later declared his candidacy on social media.

He is the first Republican to announce for the open Iowa U.S. House seat after GOP incumbent U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion announced Tuesday she will ru

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