Ag Secetary's Wife to Run for Congress

Christie Vilsack, the wife of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, has announced she will run for the congressional seat currently held by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.

Local news outlets reported that Vilsack said a race between his wife and King “will be a holy war,” The Washington Post said.

Aides said that Vilsack will refrain from commenting on the race. “He understands the separation of politics and government and what we have to do. The same rules will continue to apply,” said an aide according to the Post.

The Vilsacks are moving their official residence to the town of Ames from Mount Pleasant, where Tom Vilsack was mayor, to qualify. The couple currently rents an apartment in Washington.

The race may be an uphill climb for Christie Vilsack. Iowa has never elected a woman to Congress and the district leans right, the Post said.