Grassley was born on September 17, 1933, in a two-story white farmhouse outside of New Hartford, Iowa. At 88 years old, Grassley is seeking an eighth term in the U.S. Senate. He said he's "all over the map" in different situations. Even facing a candidate named Judge, Grassley won by 24 points. State Rep. Christina Bohannan, a Democrat and University of Iowa law professor, announced her candidacy in August. (At the time, Grassleys team clarified the senator was mistaken, and that there was every indication Pence would presidethat the Iowa senator was merely explaining the Senates procedure if the vice president had to step away. Bidens 39% approval rating imary winner might be more of a sacrificial lamb considering Bidens 39% approval ratings. Both Hinson and Mathis, 63, are former television journalists who were coworkers at a Cedar Rapids TV station. Your email address will not be published. Hes rarely profiled, and there is only one biography of him, written by a reporter who later went on to become his campaign flack. The constitution [and] bill of rights guarantee a just and speedy trial.. You can look at my record all day long. In 2022, according to Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, Grassley is now polling at the lowest since the earliest days of his career when he had no name recognition. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was one of 19 Republicans who rebuked Donald Trump and voted for the bipartisan infrastructure deal, but just one day earlier was on the floor of the Senate defending. Or will it collapse around him? Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. Yet there may be something of a Grassley exception for the states elections. Hed tell people what he was doing and theyd listen. U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra all Republicans are seeking reelection. Mitt Romney calls New Yorks Santos a sick puppy. Lauren Boebert appears to distance herself from Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kevin McCarthy tries very hard to keep his party civil. It was Barack Obama who described Grassley as having a hangdog face and throaty midwestern drawl. Grassley himself leans into this image with his cranky, barely readable tweets about the History Channel, or u kno what at Dairy Queen. Conlin recalls that even though she and Grassley were at odds, he still allowed her bills to come out of the committee. In a campaign video released Monday, Dave Muhlbauer of Manilla says many Iowa voters just feel like Democrats are leaving rural areas high and dry.. Despite the fact that the majority of Iowans thought maybe it was time for him to step aside. He only occasionally relies on aides for an assist, such as his scheduler and adviser Jennifer Heins, who is nearly always by his side. In response to some of the questions, Grassley explained the legislative process and the history of partisan fights. City of Pella asks $5 million from Pella School, New York company will administer Iowa school sc, College basketball: Statesmen claim fourth-stra, approved in October by the Iowa Legislature. Redistricting made things a little trickier for Iowas House races. He is the best path we have to keep the seat in Republican hands and take it off the map., Sen. Chuck Grassley talks to law enforcement officials at an event in West Union, Iowa, on May 4, 2021. And when riled-up cattlemen in Monticello guffawed at his proposal to fine bad-acting meatpacking executives rather than jail them, Grassley absorbed the jeers, then said he might toughen up his own legislation. More: Iowa Sens. That might seem a long shot, but its how the indefatigable Iowan operates. Grassleys victory was part of the ascendant New Right, a phrase that had become popular during Barry Goldwaters 1964 presidential run and encompassed a backlash to the social liberalism of the civil rights era and the growing feminist movement. Grassley defeated Carlin. It was then that the meetings became raucous, with not liberal, but conservative constituents challenging him. Hovelson has gotten a lot of mileage out of this story. I will condemn it. Any Republican could retire and be proud of that kind of career. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra is running for reelection. The room was small, with vinyl tile flooring, wood paneling, and homemade curtains. More: Chuck Grassley sails past Jim Carlin in Republican US Senate primary; moves on to run for 8th term. These are imperatives. But still, a new poll suggests Republican voters are mostly in favor of Trump. Former 1st District representative Abby Finkenauer, outraised Grassley in the third quarter of 2021, Dave Muhlbauer, a 37-year-old farmer and a former Crawford County supervisor, Doctor and Minden city council member Glenn Hurst, move into the 1st District and run for reelection there, she will seek reelection in the 3rd District, Pella native prepares to run Iditarod for third time, Putin can win only if Josh Hawley-esque isolationists multiply, City of Pella asks $5 million from Pella Schools for new indoor rec center, Oskaloosas VanWyk claims individual state bowling title, Marion County students learn about pork, tractor safety at Ag Day, State politicians discuss taxes, emergency services, Rockets to state, top Hudson 71-65 in three overtimes, Eagles state bound after knocking off No. In recent months, Finkenauer has emphasized her commitment to term limits to prevent politicians from serving such long stretches of time, and has said shell limit herself to two Senate terms if successful. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Franken announced his candidacymonths later, but heoutspent Finkenauer on advertising and quickly gained support among Democrats. Grassley doesnt read the replies: 90 percent of them hate me. It doesn't exist. All rights reserved. Franken is a Sioux Center native. Krause, who is president of the Veterans National Recovery Center, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and 2016. At count 22, Cotton stands up and helps pull Grassley, then 87 years old, to his feet. Ailes would go on to run Fox News and have an outsize influence on conservative politics as an operative and media executive, helping elect the likes of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Read the full Q&A with Franken here. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Hes held public office since 1959 and served in the Senate since 1981, including two years in the presidential line of succession. Iowa suddenly had political power. Hes tight-lipped about the checkered legacy of former President Donald Trump, whom he has spoken with twice since Trump left office. Krause's team said in a press release he will work to defend American democracy after . This is Franken's second Senate campaign. Ernst, Grassley vote 'no' as Judge Jackson is confirmed to the US Supreme Court. Hinson, 38, will run in the 2nd District in 2022. The 87-year-old does push-ups, too. I'm running for U.S. Senate to fight for working people.We can defeat Chuck Grassley - but I need your help. And he will be fighting that war on two fronts. Some have been held for a year. MANILLA, Iowa An Iowa farmer and former Crawford County supervisor has become the first Democrat to announce he is running for Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley's seat. Patty Judge was his closest since first taking office in 1980 and he won by 24 percentage points. It speaks to this growling in America, something changing, again. Franken will nonetheless face stiff headwinds going into the general election against Grassley, who has served seven terms. In 1985, the Chicago Tribune noted that other senators had compared him to Jimmy Stewarts character in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: naive maybe, but direct, stubbornand honest. No one could beat him. He published a campaign video in May that touted his familys history in politics: both his father and grandfather served as Democrats in the Iowa House. Hes the difference between whether this is a competitive race, or whether Chuck Grassley just wins again., Poll: Majority of Iowans do not want Grassley to seek reelection. he remains slightly more popular than not, would be really wrong for me to say I have my mind made up, have repeatedly said they had no knowledge of a plan to overturn the election, will be the most senior member of the Senate, King tweeted a video of the senator saying. He was capable. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is seen in the U.S. Capitol after the senate luncheons on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. But a Grassley spokesperson noted, Like most small- and medium-size family farmers who must contend with mother nature and fluctuating input and commodity prices, the Grassley farm has from time to time utilized government-supported programs when necessary.. She became the second-youngest woman elected to the US House in 2018 (and the youngest woman ever to flip a seat blue), defeating a multi-millionaire incumbent. Nicole Hasso, a Johnston Republican, is a political newcomer. They say some of her signatures are invalid and should disqualify her from competing. Hanusa, 58,suspended her congressional campaignand will instead run against Democrat Rob Sand for State Auditor. I'm a 5th generation, farming, labor Democrat. The governor, Robert Ray, was a Republican, but he was against the death penalty, and his legacy in the state would eventually be his role in opening Iowas borders to refugees. In a state thats looking increasingly red, and in an election cycle where Republicans are expected to sweep, Grassley is favored to win; even though his disapproval numbers have climbed over the years, he remains slightly more popular than not. I didnt eat the Chinese stuff; Im an American. (The restaurant is now the site of Fongs Pizza, a regionally famous Chinese-American fusion pizza parlor, renowned for its crab rangoon pizza. He ran as a Libertarian in Iowa's 3rd District in 2020, finishing with 3.4% of the vote against Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne and Republican David Young. | Nunn is a combat aviator and Intelligence Squadron Commander in the United States Air Force, and he has served on the White Houses National Security Council as Director of Cybersecurity. 1:49. Charles Ernest Grassley (born September 17, 1933) is an American politician serving as the president pro tempore emeritus of the United States Senate, and the senior United States senator from Iowa, having held the seat since 1981. She began her campaign with a big focus on protecting democracy, criticizing Grassley for not doing more in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection. If he wins in 2022, he will be 95 years old at the conclusion of that term. And how can I say this in a way that wont get me in some kind of horrifying trouble? I reminded Conlin that these days, as one of the most powerful lawyers in the state, shes the one causing trouble. Finkenauer is a former state representative. Democrat Mike Franken will challenge U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley in November. Doctor and Minden city council member Glenn Hurst, a 51-year-old Democrat, announced on July 29 he would run for Grassleys seat. In 1980, Roger Ailes, then a political consultant, came to Iowa to test out a theory on Grassleys campaign for Senate. Asked if he finds Trump personally responsible for the Capitol riot, he refers to a statement he put out on Jan. 6. Joyce Mahl of Council Bluffs in western Iowa said she voted for Franken because she was unsure Iowans would vote for a Democratic woman in the general election, though Iowa has elected Democratic women, including Finkenauer, to Congress. In a campaign video released Monday, Dave Muhlbauer of Manilla says many Iowa voters "just feel like Democrats are leaving rural areas high and dry." I work with him every day. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. Finkenauer stressed limiting the number of terms a member of the Senate can serve. Grassley will also face a Republican primary challenge from stateSen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City. Three Democrats running for the U.S. Senate took aim at Republican Chuck Grassley during a forum Saturday in Des Moines, challenging the audience to weigh . She is a teacher and currently works for a nonprofit in Council Bluffs that provides care for children with mental and behavioral health needs. Hes the senator who held public hearings to criticize his partys own president about excessive military spending, and told Donald Trump off about his trade agenda. He said Pat Grassley is not interested in being a senator and encouraged Chuck to run again. officially kicked off her gubernatorial campaign on Aug. 14. about her campaign priorities and the future of the Democratic party in Iowa. I will give him a forcible retirement.. Check online at sos.iowa.gov. The 87-year-old does push-ups, too. In the Iowa House, she fought against legislation weakening workers rights; in Congress, she passed legislation helping small businesses, and focused on child care issues, rural health care, and the safety of packing plant workers. A total of 15 senators - including 76-year-old Ed Markey, 89-year-olds Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein, 81-year-old Bernie Sanders, 80-year-old Mitch McConnell, 78-year-old Angus King of . When he needed some water, he fumbled, and spilled on his pants. More: Mike Franken wins Democratic US Senate primary; to take on Chuck Grassley in November. https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings So by 1980, Iowa was suddenly a fertile ground for corn and politics, a place where no-name politicians could come to the state and grab a good headline by smiling and chomping a few hot dogs at the state fair. Thats how I feel.. Grassley defined himself as a conservative Republican in opposition to Ray. Republican activists claimed she hadnt gathered enough signatures from enough counties. He has. Here's a look at how federal races are shaping up. In November 2022, my colleague streiff reported on an investigation conducted by Senators Chuck Grassley and Josh Hawley, which revealed that this same Disinformation Governance Board . When you outlive the past, its easier to mold it into myth.The biography of Grassley written by Eric Woolson claims that the Grassley family avoided government assistance. Grassley, who will be 89 years old in 2022, has filed a statement of candidacy for the 2022 election, making him eligible to run for an eighth term. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin. In his memoir, Obama describes Grassley as toying with the administration over possibly supporting the Affordable Care Act. The sunny spring day he went for a Bambinos burger was a typical one for Grassley, whose renowned 27-year-long streak of 8,927 votes was derailed only by the coronavirus. Here are the results from key races from the June 7 Iowa primary elections. Grassley, who had previously condemned the actions of the January 6 insurrection, stumbled through an answer. Nunn represents Bondurant and has highlighted his Air Force career in campaign ads. And many have. Senators in both parties say Grassley is sharp as a ginsu knife and his health appears impeccable. According to Yepsen, things began to change for Grassley under Obama. Even after catching the virus he still ran most mornings, in typical Grassley fashion. Abby Finkenauer's place on the Iowa primary ballot is being challenged. Those early days created a rough draft of who hed become as a senatorgruff, hard-working, relentless, frugal. Thats all I can tell you., Fred and I hit a deer on hiway 136 south of Dyersville. Sen. Chuck Grassley, 88, Will Run for Reelection in 2022 The Iowa senator, who first secured his senate seat in 1980, is the oldest Republican serving in the upper chamber of the U.S. Congress Abby Finkenauer in July became the first major Democrat to announce a 2022 run for the U.S. Senate seat long held by Republican Chuck Grassley. Its a difficult dance. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. He fires off typo-riddled tweets that take on a life of their own, from the Beltway-famous assume deer dead to If u lost ur pet pidgin / its dead in front yard., Sometimes hell tell staff that I feel a tweet coming on.. Primary election ballots are nearly set in Iowa, and races for Congress have begun in earnest. But even so, history is catching up with him. Associated Press writers David Pitt in West Des Moines, Iowa, and Grant Schulte in Council Bluffs, Iowa, contributed to this report. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. Reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel contributed reporting. It could be the ticket to an eighth term in the Senate and change the midterm landscape. His legacy in Iowa and the nation has become a palimpsest for a certain cultural political anxietyif you are a Democrat, Grassley is a symbol of all that has been lost by politics, a grand tradition of stately bipartisanship tossed aside for toxic extremist politics. In front of a crowd of Iowans in Des Moines on October 9, 2021, a grinning Grassley, with the sleeves of his blue shirt rolled up, accepted Trumps endorsement. three in four Iowans had not formed an opinion on DeJear, he will run for an eighth term in the U.S. Senate. Grassley was running against the incumbent Democrat John Culvera big, blond, Harvard-grad Iowa boy. Throughout her service, Finkenauer made a point of having her fathers old sweatshirt, which had burn holes in it from his welding work, at her desk. She launched her congressional campaign in July. Following changes in the congressional maps as a result of redistricting, Iowa's 1st District now cover's the state's southeastern corner, rather than it's northeastern one. The Republican Donor Class Seems Ready to Dump Trump. When he got close to one constituent in the restaurant, he assured her its so I can hear you. As he mulls reelection, Grassley maintains his rigorous schedule and a lane open to run. Still, theres some consternation in Iowa over whether its time to pass the torch. He opposed a national health care system and food stamps for strikers, and criticized the Democrats for believing that somehow government [could] replace Christ., Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) (L) talks with ranking member Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) before the committee is set to vote on health care reform legislation on Capitol Hill October 13, 2009 in Washington, DC. According to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Grassley's war chest held $4,320,715.95 as of May 18. However,Trump endorsed Grassleyduring an October visit to Des Moines. Sun and clouds mixed. J. D. Scholten, who nearly defeated former Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) in 2018, is also contemplating a Senate run. Thats because he feels that by offering a clearer difference between the Democratic and Republican candidate, Democrats can win back many Iowa voters. And Grassley won the primary and the general. Part of HuffPost Politics. Glenn Hurst operates a private medical practice in Minden, where he sits on the city council. For years, Grassley has played the mumbling, grumbling, honest regular guy, who is willing to work across the aisle. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 410-340-3440. The new House map,approved in October by the Iowa Legislature, maintains three competitive districts and one GOP-leaning district. (Grassley reportedly spoke about gold to the groups Financial Survival Seminar, and his press secretary told The Des Moines Register at the time that Grassley had not intended when he accepted the invitation to jump into bed with some political group. Grassley, simply by being underestimated, has escaped much scrutiny. And after Trump-supporting rioters stormed the Capitol, Grassley voted to certify Bidens win. Bryan Jack Holder, a Council Bluffs resident and Libertarian candidate, submitted paperwork to run in Iowa's 4th District. According to the Secretary of State's office, Iowa election 2022 candidates for Senate, U.S. House. Something must be causing this. During a day of 5 stops and about 300 miles of driving, he was asked just once about his reelection. State Auditor Rob Sand has expressed interest in the Senate race, but backed out of an interview in Des Moines the day before. Smith announced in February hewill not seek re-election in the House. But Ill vote and hope for the best. how universal health care can revitalize rural Iowa. UNI Prof Wants to Try New Model to Curb Gun Violence in Waterloo; https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings. He knows more about Iowa than, I would guarantee, anybody in Iowa, said his junior Hawkeye State GOP senator, Joni Ernst. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Yet Another Republican Seems to Want to Join the 2024 Presidential Race: Tim Scott. But she disagrees: As long as he can and will, I think he is able. Grassleys hearings seemed to connect with the cash-poor Republican farmers and the Democrats who were sick of war. After I pulled fender rubbing on tire we continued to farm. 1:49. He has. State Rep. Mary Ann Hanusa, a Council Bluffs native, was the first Republican to enter the 3rd District race. Frankens primary win is something of a surprise, given Finkenauer was better known throughout the state after her 2018 victory over a Republican congressman that made her the second-youngest woman elected to Congress. Hes a conservative who can work with Democrats on a handful of issues, like criminal justice reform and drug prices, while executing brutal partisan power plays to fill the federal bench with conservatives. If he doesnt, the GOPs road to the majority gets that much harder. and instead mounted a race for state auditor. Its not impossible for Democrats to break through, Scholten argued. Senator. She announced her campaign in July and was recently endorsed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Not sure if youre registered to vote? Grassley is fighting the forces that put him in power all those many years ago. By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images. You can contribute to us here. Iowa Sens. He was part of the wave of conservative election upsets in 1980. The house had no electricity and no indoor plumbing. Hurst got more involved in local politics after Donald Trumps election in 2016, becoming a leader in the grassroots Indivisible movement. Grassleys push-ups are precarioushis arms barely bend, his movements are small and slow. It was Culver who had lost touch with Iowans, while Chuck Grassley was a man of the people. Abb Franken beat former congresswoman Abby Finkenauer and physician Glenn Hurst and earned the right to run against Grassley, who is seeking an eighth Senate term and beat back a nominal primary challenge of his own on Tuesday. Smith, 33, has represented Waterloo in the Iowa House since 2017. Shaken and trying to recover, Culver lost his edge. Now lives in Sioux City. Labor Organizer: Gov. Abby Finkenauer in July became the first major Democrat to announce a 2022 run for the U.S. Senate seat long held by Republican Chuck Grassley. More: Republican state Sen. Jim Carlin launches U.S. Senate bid, will run in a primary against Chuck Grassley if So there he was one moment, onstage, eagerly grinning, accepting Trumps endorsement, then later scowling when asked questions about it. A district judge ruled Finkenauer hadnt qualified for the ballot, a ruling she called deeply partisan. The Iowa Supreme Court overruled that decision and allowed her to run.