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SHELDON, Iowa | Kim Weaver, the O'Brien County Democratic Party chairwoman and a member of the state party Central Committee, announced Friday that she is running for the 2016 Iowa 4th congressional district seat.

Weaver, of Sheldon, said she is ready to take the step beyond aiding other campaigns to becoming a candidate herself. If nominated, she will run against U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, who is also running to be on the ballot in November. There are no other announced candidates.

"I was asked to run. I didn't just wake up one morning and say, 'Hey, I think I'll run for Congress.' I am not a traditional candidate. I am not somebody that groomed my life to be a candidate. But I am passionate about the people of Iowa, and passionate that I am willing to step forward," Weaver told the Journal.

Weaver said she would seek to improve the hourly minimum wage and protect the environment. She supports immigration policy reform that includes a path to citizenship for unauthorized people living in the U.S.

Weaver for 24 years has worked as a long-term care ombudsman for the Iowa Department of Aging, where she makes sure people in nursing homes and assisted living residences receive quality care.