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OTTUMWA -- A Moulton resident declares his candidacy for the Iowa House District 80 seat.

Larry Sheets, a former engineer and father of eight says he hopes to win the seat running as a Republican.  The new house district includes Appanoose, Monroe and portions of western Wapello and eastern Mahaska counties.

Sheets says he is running with the support of his family.

“I decided that it was time to get away from my walnut trees and my engineering and to try to do something to provide a future for my children,” Sheets said.

The former Moulton-Udell school board member says one of the biggest problems facing rural Iowa is the lack of educational funding.

“We’ve had a short fall in our funding for the schools last year.”

Sheets says he's demonstrated leadership on the Moulton economic development association.  If you’d like to read more information on where the house candidate stands on the issues, click here.