Late on Friday evening, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) announced on Twitter that he will not run for Senate in 2014.
“I will not run for Senate in 2014. A Senate race takes me out of urgent battles in Congress that can’t wait until 2015,” King tweeted. “Many thanks to all.”
I will not run for Senate in 2014. A Senate race takes me out of urgent battles in Congress that can’t wait until 2015. Many thanks to all.
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) May 4, 2013
Iowa has an open Senate seat in 2014 because Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) will be retiring.
King, who has led the charge in Congress in exposing the Pigford scandal, would have received strong support from the state’s social conservatives, and Republicans in Iowa were awaiting his decision. Prominent Republicans like Lieutenant Gov. Kim Reynolds, whom many see as a rising star in Iowa politics, had decided not to enter the race.
With King out of the race, Republicans like Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz and David Young, an aide to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), may enter. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA), the only declared Democrat in the race, will likely be the GOP nominee’s opponent in 2014.
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