Astronaut running for Congress in Central Calif.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A California native who grew up picking vegetables with his migrant parents and then soared over the same fields as an astronaut aboard the International Space Station announced plans Tuesday to run for Congress in one of the state's newly formed districts.

Jose Hernandez told a crowd of about 75 people outside Modesto City Hall that he was proof the American dream was still alive.

"I went from plowshares to the stars," Hernandez said with his wife beside him.

Hernandez, who has never held office, will face freshman lawmaker Jeff Denham, R-Atwater, if no other Democrat files. Democrats have a 42 percent to 37 percent voter registration edge over …