Hotel executive Ravi Patel to run for Congress in Iowa's 1st district
Ravi Patel, the president of a family-owned hotel business, is running for Congress in Iowa's 1st Congressional District.
Patel, 29, of Cedar Rapids, announced his candidacy in a news release on Monday. He becomes the second Democrat to announce a run at the northeast Iowa district, following Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Monica Vernon.
The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, a first-term Republican.
Patel emphasized his business background in the statement announcing his candidacy, noting his leadership role at Hawkeye Hotels – a company founded by his father – and position as managing partner of Built By Iowa, a business incubator.
"I am not a politician. I am a pro-growth progressive," Patel said in a statement. "Problems that challenge all of us require solutions that include all of us. It is my hope that my candidacy will inspire the kinds of conversations our political system deserves."
Patel is an Indian-American and the son of immigrants. If elected, he would become just the fourth Indian-American to serve in Congress.
Hawkeye Hotels was founded by his father, and grew from one motel in Arkansas to what Patel says is now one of the "fastest-growing privately owned hotel companies in the country."
Patel led the company's efforts to develop two hotels now open along the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines, and his brother, Raj Patel, recently made news for overseeing the purchase and soon-to-commence renovation of the landmark Hotel Fort Des Moines.
The 1st District, encompassing 20 counties and the cities of Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Dubuque, is seen as Democratic leaning and will be a prime target for the party's national efforts in 2016 to win back seats in Congress.
In addition to Vernon, former Gov. Chet Culver has also indicated interest in running in the district.
Reported by: Desmoinesregister.com
Patel, 29, of Cedar Rapids, announced his candidacy in a news release on Monday. He becomes the second Democrat to announce a run at the northeast Iowa district, following Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Monica Vernon.
The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, a first-term Republican.
Patel emphasized his business background in the statement announcing his candidacy, noting his leadership role at Hawkeye Hotels – a company founded by his father – and position as managing partner of Built By Iowa, a business incubator.
"I am not a politician. I am a pro-growth progressive," Patel said in a statement. "Problems that challenge all of us require solutions that include all of us. It is my hope that my candidacy will inspire the kinds of conversations our political system deserves."
Patel is an Indian-American and the son of immigrants. If elected, he would become just the fourth Indian-American to serve in Congress.
Hawkeye Hotels was founded by his father, and grew from one motel in Arkansas to what Patel says is now one of the "fastest-growing privately owned hotel companies in the country."
Patel led the company's efforts to develop two hotels now open along the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines, and his brother, Raj Patel, recently made news for overseeing the purchase and soon-to-commence renovation of the landmark Hotel Fort Des Moines.
The 1st District, encompassing 20 counties and the cities of Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Dubuque, is seen as Democratic leaning and will be a prime target for the party's national efforts in 2016 to win back seats in Congress.
In addition to Vernon, former Gov. Chet Culver has also indicated interest in running in the district.
Reported by: Desmoinesregister.com
