AMES, Iowa (AP) – An Ames pediatrician has entered the Democratic race to oppose U.S. Rep. Steve King in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. John Paschen announced his candidacy Tuesday, saying that lawmakers should put aside politics “to pass bills and solve real problems.” He says that if he were elected to the U.S. House, he’d focus on fixing the broken health care system, bringing new jobs to the 4th District and reforming immigration laws.

Paschen has been president of the Child Abuse Prevention & Education Council and is chairman of the Story County Board of Health. The three other Democrats who have entered the race are bus driver Paul Dahl, of Webster City, Spencer councilwoman Leann Jacobsen and former baseball player J.D. Scholten, of Sioux City.

The 4th District covers northwest and north-central Iowa.