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“It’s 4am in Iowa so I’m running. I do it 6 days a week. Before I start the day, I want you to know what Barbara and I have decided,” said Grassley, who has 88 years old and was first elected in the United States. Senate in 1980, wrote on Twitter, including a GIF of itself running. “I am running for re-election, much more to do, for Iowa. We ask and will work for your support. Will you join us?”
Grassley’s announcement ends months of speculation about his candidacy. Former Iowa Rep. Abby Finkenauer is the most prominent Democrat yet to announce a challenge for the seat, although Iowa has tended more conservatively in recent years and has backed Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.
Grassley in the past has rejected polls suggesting many of his constituents wanted him to step down and said last week he had heard “a lot of encouragement” from the Iowans to run again. He said he planned to have his decision made by November 1, but added: “I think I will do it sooner.”
“I got a lot of encouragement from the Iowans for the first time – they haven’t told me much about it so far,” Grassley told CNN. “I think I keep the same schedule as when I was 65, maybe even 40,” he laughed.
Grassley, the 10th longest-serving U.S. senator in history, is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and holds several influential committee positions.
This story has been updated with additional background information.
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