Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack was rumored to be one of the finalists to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate, but she announced Friday evening her final choice is Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. Vilsack and Clinton have known one another for four decades.

Vilsack’s first connection to Hillary Clinton runs through his wife and late brother-in-law. Tom Bell worked with Clinton on the investigation into the Watergate scandal. Clinton responded to the call when Tom Vilsack was running for governor in 1998, trailing badly in the polls and short of campaign cash. Clinton, who was the nation’s first lady at the time, hosted a fundraiser for Vilsack in Washington, D.C.

Clinton has described the speech Vilsack gave at the event as one of the best she’s ever heard. Vilsack and his wife have backed both of Clinton’s bid for the White House. Vilsack served two terms as Iowa’s governor. Hehas been President Obama’s first and only agriculture secretary. Vilsack and his wife own a home in central Iowa, near where his son, daughter-in-law and grandkids live.

Vilsack, who is 65 years old, talked last year about life after the Obama Administration. He said he wants to move back to Iowa full-time — at some point. That leaves the door open to staying in Washington and working in the next administration, if Clinton wins in November.

(Radio Iowa)