kids attend state universities, co-sponsored earned income tax credits for low income earners, fought against discrimination to gays and lesbians in housing and employment and supported women's right to choose and family planning programs. Hatch also led the state's comprehensive health care reform establishing Hawk-i, Iowa's healthcare access program for young children. Hatch's work reforming Iowa's healthcare system gained him national prominence when, in 2009, he was appointed chair of the White House Working Group of State Legislators for Health Reform. In that capacity, he led state legislators, in advising the president and Congress on national proposals for health reform. Hatch was re-elected in 2006 and in 2010, running unopposed both times. In 1997, together with his wife Sonja, Hatch founded Hatch Development Group, a company that builds affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods. Working with neighborhood leaders, city and county officials, lenders and investors, Hatch designed, built and managed eight housing communities. Prior to serving in the Iowa Senate, Hatch twice served in the Iowa House of Representatives and served as the state director for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin. Hatch also served as board member of the Des Moines Water Works in 1998, a board member of Des Moines Public Housing from 1996 to 1997, a board member of Children & Families of Iowa from 1980 to 1984. 2014 gubernatorial election In 2013, Hatch announced his candidacy for Governor of Iowa. Hatch faced Republican incumbent Terry Branstad. Hatch focused his campaign on raising the minimum wage in Iowa, expanding healthcare and education access to children and cleaning environmental resources across the state. In June 2014, Monica Vernon, a Cedar Rapids city councilwoman and advertising firm owner, joined Hatch's campaign as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. References External links Jack Hatch campaign website Senator Jack Hatch official Iowa Legislature site Senator Jack Hatch official Iowa General Assembly site |- |- |- 1950 births Drake University alumni Democratic Party Iowa state senators Living people Democratic Party members of the Iowa House of Representatives Politicians from Des Moines, Iowa Politicians from Hartford, Connecticut