DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is to formally announce his bid for the Republican nomination for governor.
The 63-year-old Branstad will open his bid to return to the state's top political office on Tuesday at an event in Des Moines. He will embark on a statewide tour of 16 other cities over four days, ending in Council Bluffs on Friday.
Branstad served four terms as governor before leaving office in 1998 and recently retired as head of Des Moines University.
Three others are seeking the GOP nomination: Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats, and state Reps. Chris Rants and Rod Roberts.
Democratic Gov. Chet Culver has not formally announced his plans, but has made it clear that he'll seek a second term.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)