Staci Appel is officially a candidate for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District seat after filing paperwork Tuesday morning.

“I’m running for Congress to make a difference for the people of Iowa,” Appel said on Tuesday during an appearance in Des Moines. “I will work across the aisle, use some Iowa common sense, and start getting things done for Iowa’s middle-class families.”

According to her campaign site, Appel filed nominating petitions with 3,831 signatures from all 16 counties. Democratic candidates are required to submit signatures from at least 2,037 eligible voters in eight of the district’s 16 counties.

Appel was born and raised in Iowa, and she lives in Ackworth. She served as assistant majority leader in the Iowa Senate from 2007-2011, representing Iowa’s 37th District.

— by Kristen East