Democrat Kimberly Graham, an Indianola attorney, will run against Republican Sen. Joni Ernst for the U.S. Senate in 2020.

She is the first Democrat to announce a campaign against the incumbent senator.

"Iowans need a senator in Washington who will fight for them," Graham said in a news release. "Our campaign, By the People, for the People, will focus on the day-to-day needs of Iowans for affordable health care, good education and good jobs, from Albia to Zearing and every town and city in between."

Graham represents abused or neglected children in the Recovery Court program as an attorney and guardian ad litem.

According to her campaign website, Graham will not accept donations from corporate political action committees. She said she supports campaign finance overhaul and sweeping anti-corruption legislation to get big money out of politics.

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In a post on the liberal blog Bleeding Heartland, Graham said she supports "Medicare for All," lower prescription drug prices and support for rural communities and small businesses.

Graham will hold an announcement event at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Buxton Park in Indianola.

Ernst has said she will seek re-election. A military veteran from Red Oak, Ernst is viewed as a formidable incumbent. Her approval rating hit its highest point ever in February, according to a Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa Poll.

No other Republicans or Democrats have yet announced their campaigns, though the race is expected to be closely contested. Prominent Iowa Democrat, former Gov. Tom Vilsack, has said he will not run.