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Republican former Iowa U.S. Rep. Rod Blum is seeking a return to Congress , announcing Thursday he will run for the open seat in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District and pledging $250,000 of his own money to jump-start his campaign.

Blum, 70, served two terms in Congress, defeating Democratic former Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy in 2014 in a Republican upset and securing re-election in 2016 before losing to Democrat Abby Finkenauer in 2018.

Blum, a longtime software executive and Dubuque native, said he felt called to serve again amid what he described as a pivotal moment for the country.

“Representing the voters of Eastern Iowa in Congress was the honor of my lifetime, and I am ready to serv

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