bertrand

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</div><div>=</div><div><div>State Sen. Rick Bertrand of Sioux City is preparing to pull the trigger on a high-profile Republican primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Steve King.</div><div>
</div><div>Bertrand told the Journal he plans to file nomination papers at 8 a.m. Thursday to enter the GOP race for Iowa's 4th congressional district. Friday is the deadline for state and federal candidates in Iowa to have their names placed on the June 7 primary ballot.</div><div>
</div><div>Bertrand has scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference Thursday in Sioux City, where he is expected to formally declare his political intentions. Later in the day, announcements are scheduled in Ames and Fort Dodge. The 4th District covers 39 counties in western and north central Iowa.</div><div>
</div><div>Three weeks ago, Bertrand first told the Journal he was "strongly, strongly" considering a run for the seat held by King, an outspoken and nationally known conservative.</div><div>
</div><div>In an exclusive interview Wednesday, Bertrand said he's spent the time since then getting a feel for how people would respond to his candidacy and by traveling extensively through the 4th District. During the trip, he said he personally obtained more than 3,000 signatures for the nomination petitions he will file with the Secretary of State's office in Des Moines.</div><div>
</div><div>The positive reviews he heard from voters convinced him to move forward with the campaign. Bertrand said the time is right because the district is poised to grow through initiatives such as the completion of a modernized, four-lane U.S. Highway 20 in 2018.</div><div>
</div><div>"If we are going to grow Iowa, it is going to come in the 4th District," said Bertrand, who argued district residents need a more effective congressman to push for changes required to maximize that growth.</div><div>
</div><div>Political observers have said it will be a tough battle for Bertrand to defeat King, especially with him entering the race less than three months before the June primary.</div><div>
</div><div>Bertrand said King, seven-term incumbent first elected in 2002, has become ineffective as he courts a national reputation and hasn't delivered for constituents in spite of lengthening tenure.</div><div>
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</div><div>"I am not going in there to be a national figure. I am going to be likable and effective," said Bertrand, a two-term state senator and Sioux City businessman and developer.</div><div>
</div><div>Bertrand said King hasn't nabbed important committee posts of power to help Iowans improve their lives through economic growth. He contends King has been in office too long and "is polarizing."</div><div>
</div><div>"I like Steve but, you know what, it is time ... You become institutionalized after 14 years," Bertrand said.</div><div>
</div><div>Bertrand said he learned working in the split-controlled Iowa Legislature that some compromises must be made to help pass legislation to help the Sioux City area. He pointed with pride to voting in 2013 for the largest commercial property tax cut in Iowa history and in 2015 for a 10-cent increase in the state gas tax, which was used to expedite the Highway 20 widening in three Northwest Iowa counties.</div><div>
</div><div>Bertrand said he recognizes that gas tax increase vote is a concerning action among some Republicans. He said all his votes were designed to improve the area.</div></div><div>==</div>