Blum drops out of Second District race less than a month after announcing he’ll seek another term in Congress

DUBUQUE — Less than a month after announcing he was once again running for the United States House, former congressman Rod Blum announced on Monday he was suspending his campaign for Iowa’s Second Congressional District.

The 70-year-old from Dubuque launched a campaign on September 18th. He served in Congress representing northeastern Iowa from his election in 2014 until he lost to Democrat Abby Finkenauer in the 2018 midterm election.

The former CEO and president of Eagle Point Software had announced he would support his campaign with a personal $250,000 investment, but in a statement released on Monday, he said it has become clear to him that he can help President Trump in other ways that are more effective than being in the US House.

There are several other Republicans in the race for the Second District seat including state representative Shannon Lundgren of Peosta, state senator Charlie McClintock of Alburnett, and former state lawmaker Joe Mitchell, who currently lives in Clear Lake.

Three Democrats are also running for the seat with state representative Lindsay James of Dubuque, nonprofit founder Clint Twedt-Ball, and former Kirkwood Community College dean of nursing Kathy Dolter.

They are vying to replace Ashley Hinson, who is running for the US Senate seat currently held by Joni Ernst.

The northeast Iowa-based Second District includes Cerro Gordo, Worth, Mitchell, Floyd and Butler counties in our immediate listening area.