CEDAR RAPIDS – Iowa candidate for governor Jack Hatch has chosen Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Monica Vernon to join him on the campaign trail.
Hatch was in Cedar Rapids Monday morning, introducing as his choice for lieutenant governor.
“I’m proud to announce Monica Vernon is my choice to serve as Iowa’s next Lt. Governor,” Hatch said. “Monica brings strong experience and great energy to our campaign as our momentum continues to grow.”
According to the Hatch campaign, Vernon is the founder and owner of Vernon Research Group, which she founded and operated for more than 26 years. She has an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa and has put it to use as a pioneering woman entrepreneur in the state of Iowa.
“She understands the bottom line, understands the pressures on small business owners, and will make sure business is at the top of our agenda in a Hatch-Vernon administration,” Hatch’s campaign said.
The campaign said that “Inc.” magazine rated Iowa dead last among states for woman-owned businesses.
“Monica Vernon will help Iowa grow and attract the next generation of great women business leaders in the private sector and the public sector, and I’ll be proud to work with her,” Hatch declared.
Vernon was described as “a proud, loyal resident of Cedar Rapids. And for the first time in 30 years, this city will be represented on a statewide ticket of either party. That’s important because the rebuilding and rebirth of Cedar Rapids after the flood is not over, it’s ongoing. We saw that with the All-American City designation it was awarded Sunday. Monica Vernon, serving her fourth term on the Cedar Rapids City Council, will bring her Cedar Rapids roots to Des Moines and she’ll show us how it was done.
“Monica understands how to make local government work effectively and efficiently, serving the citizens who are the real board of directors. She’ll bring that knowledge and experience to state government.
“And if there was ever a time when we needed someone who understands how to make state government work right, this is it. We are coming out of the most scandal-ridden, mismanaged administration in memory and we will have our work cut out for us.
Iowans are ready for this fresh start, and with Monica joining the team, our message of new leadership with real vision will be stronger than ever.”
Biography of Monica Vernon
​First elected in 2007, Monica Vernon is currently serving her second four-year term on the Cedar Rapids City Council. She is serving her fifth year as Mayor Pro Tempore, Chair of the Council’s Community/Economic Development Committee and past Chair of the Metropolitan Planning Organization where she works with Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, Ely, Fairfax and Linn County. She was a candidate for the First Congressional District Democratic nomination in 2014.
Monica has been instrumental in driving the successful recovery of Cedar Rapids after a historic 2008 flooding disaster. As part of the recovery efforts, Monica helped coordinate the recovery work with federal, state, and local agencies, local not for profits, neighborhood organizations, local labor unions, and businesses to bring back housing, businesses, jobs and public facilities in the affected area that encompassed approximately 1/6 of the city. Monica is proud of the work that has been done to make the city better than ever while maintaining service delivery and growth in the rest of the community.
Prior to becoming a member of city council, Monica Vernon built a reputation for progressive leadership in her community. She spearheaded local efforts to raise $1.7 million to build the Madge Phillips Center for homeless women and children. In 2013, Trees Forever honored her with their Advocate of the Year award. Monica has also been an advocate for jobs & economic development, civil & human rights, affordable housing, diversity and inclusion, education, neighborhood safety, and other quality of life issues affecting the region.
A small business owner by trade, Monica is the founder and past president of Vernon Research Group, a 26 year-old market research firm that serves business and industry, government, education, health care, and not for profits. Prior to founding Vernon Research Group, Monica served as community relations director for Mount Mercy University and worked as a reporter for The Gazette. She has also been an adjunct faculty member of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center in the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa.
A lifelong Iowan, Monica Vernon holds a BA in Journalism and an MBA from the University of Iowa. She and her husband Bill have three adult daughters – Natalie, Frances, and Eleanor.​
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