Democrat Roxanne Conlin filed papers to run for the U.S. Senate today, at the same time releasing a 2-minute video that seeks to introduce her to the electorate.

The filing was not unexpected. Conlin signaled last week that she would file papers.

The release of the video, on the Internet, was not expected.

In it, Conlin says that Washington, D.C., has forgotten regular people, and that she will take on special interests.

There also is an emphasis on creating jobs and on renewable energy.

Conlin is a prominent Des Moines lawyer. And she was the Democratic Party's 1982 gubernatorial nominee.

She lost that race to Terry Branstad.

Also seeking the party's nomination to run against U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, are two former legislators, Tom Fiegen of Clarence and Bob Krause of Fairfield.

The primary is next June.