DeJear on Monday announced the formation of an exploratory committee and a listening tour to seven Iowa cities this week to discuss the idea with Iowans.
DeJear will stop first on Tuesday in Clinton, at noon at the Gateway Community Center, then head to Davenport for a 4 pm event at the Los Primos Mexican Grill (1143 E Locust St.).
Wednesday, she will talk with local residents in Muscatine at 11 am at the Black Pearl Cafe, then travel to Fort Madison for a 6 pm stop at the Sub Arena. She'll end this week's listening tour Thursday morning in Ottumwa.
DeJear won the Democratic nomination for Iowa secretary of state in 2018, becoming the first Black person to be nominated by a major political party for a statewide office in Iowa. She was defeated in the general election by incumbent Republican Paul Pate.
Iowa Rep. Ras Smith, also a Democrat, announced his candidacy last month. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has not yet formally announced a run for reelection.