State Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) is confident his message will help him make up ground in his bid to be Iowa's next Governor.
The latest poll numbers from Real Clear Politics show Hatch trailing Republican Gov. Terry Branstad by about 20 points.
Hatch said during a stop in Keokuk that he is focused on Iowa's future, not on the polling numbers.
"We have a lot to look forward to," said Hatch. "We bring a campaign that's going to bring quality jobs. We want to bring education to our students. We want a world class education (for our students, because) that is the only way we are going to keep the jobs that are here and have a workforce that is going to be strong enough to have those jobs."
Hatch said he believes his plan for education separates him from Gov. Branstad, in particular when it comes to the drop-out and graduation rates.
Hatch said Iowa should not allow students to drop out of school when they are 16 or 17 years of age.
"I want people to know that I am going to raise the minimum age of attendance from 16 to 18," said Hatch, "and I want every child that goes into the ninth grade to graduate. By doing that, we are committed to having high school graduation at the height of any state in the country."
He said if elected, some of his other priorities would be economic development and water quality.
Despite Iowa's high early voting totals, Hatch believes a lot of people have yet to make up their minds in the gubernatorial race.
And to them, he said he offers a new vision for Iowa.
“We want a fresh start and we want a new perspective... we want some leaders who are going to listen to our local officials.”
