U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack endorsed Democrat Rita Hart to replace him in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.

"I've always tried to work across the aisle on issues whether it was education or broadband (access) or any other number of things — veteran issues, for an example," Loebsack said in a joint interview with WQAD. "I know that Rita (Hart) has the same kind of record. I've known her since she got into the (Iowa State) Senate. She has that kind of a record and I think that she's perfect for this district in that sense."

This is another notch in Hart's long list of endorsements that range from state Sen. Joe Bolkcom and state Rep. Mary Mascher to Sue Dvorsky, former chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, and former state Sen. Bob Dvorsky.

Iowa City business-owner Vernoica Tessler is the only other Democrat to have thrown a hat in the race for the open seat and has already pulled it out.

On the Republican ticket, the only officially filed candidate is Osceola Mayor Thomas Kedley. However, former Illinois congressman Bobby Schilling — now a resident of LeClaire — told the Press-Citizen in May that he was eyeing a run in southeast Iowa.

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Zachary Oren Smith writes about government, growth and development for the Press-Citizen. Reach him at zsmith@press-citizen.com or 319-339-7354, and follow him on Twitter @zacharyos.