He's an Air Force veteran, who's also worked for the US departments of Defense and Commerce.
"Well I stood up to run for president when I heard that Liz Cheney was going to run, or possibly going to run. When I was in the war I served under her father and I swore that I would never see another Cheney in office again."
For his first run for political office Boerner decided to run for president because it's more suited to his job experience.
"Being a senator or a congressman would keep me tied to state issues basically. And the things I have knowledge of is more of the executive role for the entire nation, more on the federal level and top leadership positions."
He describes himself as "a constitutional Republican, but a common sense person too," favoring smaller government and lower federal spending.
Boerner's very happy with his receptionn by Iowa Republicans so far, and hopes to return to the state this summer.
When he leaves Iowa on Friday, his next stop will be New Hampshire.
