A scientist was pushed out for studying Iowa’s water. Now he’s running to regulate it.

Chris Jones, in a kayak on the river, waves to supporters demonstrating on a bridge for clean water in Des Moines, Iowa. Jones, a retired scientist and water advocate, is running for Iowa’s secretary of agriculture.

Paddlers skim along the water to the sound of gulls. Small waves splash against driftwood and the banks of the Des Moines River. A flotilla of experienced kayakers, canoers who built their own boats and infrequent recreators expands and contracts, making its way downstream.

Originally published on sentientmedia.org, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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