Iowa Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa filed documents with the Federal Election Commission to create a presidential campaign committee and seeking an early jump on 2008.
Vilsack is the first Democrat to make a formal declaration for the presidency and joins California Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter of California as the only two of the 27 potential candidates who have made it official.
According to the Associated Press, Vilsack has trailed other potential candidates in early polling, such as Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards, even though the favorite son in the early voting state.
Vilsack heads the Democratic Leadership Council, a group that Bill Clinton used to help launch his presidential candidacy. He was chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and was a finalist to be presidential candidate John Kerry's running mate in 2004.
According to the Des Moines Register, Vilsack's biggest hurdle is raising money:
Vilsack has said privately his is the tallest hill to climb of his prospective rivals for the nomination. Others have a more proven national record of raising money and greater name recognition.
Estimates for how much it will take for a candidate to compete through the early 2008 primaries and caucuses begin at about $20 million and go much higher.
You can watch Vilsack discuss his decision to run for president below.
Vilsack's campaign website is available here.
Linked to today's Beltway Traffic Jam.
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