Jonathan Narcisse confirmed Friday he has decided to run for governor in the Democratic primary and will make an official announcement Saturday morning.
"I'm not running against something. I'm running for something," the former Des Moines school board member said. "Iowa is an amazing state. I've had the chance to make it to all 99 counties in the last several months. This is a good state. Iowans are hard working. They love their children and love their families."
Narcisse said that Gov. Chet Culver cannot win re-election and that Iowans deserve a real choice in the Democratic primary.
"We don't have a budget crisis or fiscal crisis. We have a crisis in leadership-leadership that has failed to put the interests of Iowans up against the powerful special interests in the state," he said.
Narcisse described Culver as a "nice guy," but said that being nice does not mean one should never be challenged, especially in a political career.
"Culver deserves a primary. Culver has failed and betrayed virtually every constituency that supported him and he's failed the people of Iowa," Narcisse said.
If Culver beats Narcisse in a Democratic primary, Narcisse said he still will not give up his quest for the governor's office and will opt to run as an independent in November.
"Here's the reality. Gov. Chet Culver cannot win re-election. He just can't," he said. "If Chet Culver actually cared about his state and his party, he would step down."
Narcisse said his platform would include a number of different initiatives. He wants a small, accountable and transparent government, a revitalized economy, and a reformed educational system that respects teachers and puts the power in the hands of the parents.
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Contact Ken Black at 641-753-6611 or kblack@timesrepublican.com