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Subscribe to RSSAfter 40 years in Congress, Democratic Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa has announced he will not seek re-election in 2014. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin said Saturday he will not seek a sixth term in 2014, a decision that frees a new generation of Iowa Democrats to seek higher office and eases some of the burden Republicans face in retaking the Senate.
Harkin, chairman of an influential Senate committee, announced his decision during an interview with The Associated Press, and said the move could surprise some.
But the 73-year-old cited his age — he would be 81 at the end of a sixth term — as a factor in the decision, saying it was time to pass the torch he has held for nearly 30 years.
"I just think it's time for me to step aside," Harkin told the AP.
Harkin, first elected in 1984, ranks 7th in seniority, and 4th among majority Democrats. He is chairman of the health, education, labor and pensions committee, and chairman of the largest appropriations subcommittee.
He has long aligned with the Senate's more liberal members, and his signature legislative accomplishment is the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. He also served as a key salesman of President Barack Obama's 2010 health care bill to the wary left.
With the retirements of Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Georgia, the Senate becomes increasingly "fresh," says CNBC's John Harwood, and eager to shake things up.
"I'm not saying that giving this up and walking away is easy. It's very tough," Harkin said at his rural Iowa home south of Des Moines. "But I'm not quitting today. I'm not passing the torch sitting down."
Harkin's news defied outward signals. He has $2.7 million in his campaign war chest, second most among members nearing the end of their terms, and was planning a gala fundraiser in Washington, D.C., next month featuring pop star Lady Gaga.
The news creates a rare open Senate seat Iowa. Harkin, Iowa's junior senator, is outranked by Sen. Charles Grassley, who has held the state's other seat since 1980.
Attention will turn immediately to U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a fourth-term Democrat from Waterloo. Braley, who was traveling in Iowa Saturday, did not immediately respond to e-mail and telephone requests to his staff by the AP.
Harkin held open the possibility of endorsing a Democrat before the party's primary if the candidate fit the profile of "someone who is progressive, who is a pragmatic progressive."
Although no Republicans have stepped forward, Harkin's news gives the GOP's private huddles new life.
"There are lots of conversations, but it's very early still," said Nick Ryan, an Iowa Republican campaign fundraiser.
U.S. Rep. Tom Latham of Clive is a seasoned Republican congressman, a veteran appropriations committee member and a robust fundraiser who has survived challenges to win 10 consecutive terms. Aides to Latham declined to comment beyond issuing a statement saying the congressman "respects Sen. Harkin's decision (and) looks forward to continuing to work with him."
But with opening a door in Iowa, Harkin has created a potential headache for his party nationally.
Democrats likely would have had the edge in 2014 with the seat, considering Harkin's fundraising prowess and healthy approval. A poll by the Des Moines Register taken last fall showed a majority of Iowans approved of his job performance.
Democrats hold a 55-45 advantage in the Senate, requiring Republicans to gain six seats to win back the chamber. But Democrats have more seats to defend in 2014_20 compared to only 13 for Republicans.
And the president's party historically loses seats in the midterm elections after his re-election. Obama, a Democrat, was re-elected last year.
Democrats will be scrambling to hold onto the seat in GOP-leaning West Virginia, where five-term Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller recently announced he would not seek re-election. Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito is running for the Senate seat.
Democratic incumbents also face tough re-election races in Arkansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina and Alaska — all states carried by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in November's presidential election.
Since the election, Harkin has stepped up his role as one of the Senate's leading liberal populists.
He was a vocal opponent late last year of President Barack Obama's concession to lift the income threshold for higher taxes to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. Harkin instead supported raising taxes on all earners making more than $250,000 a year.
He also endorsed Obama's call for banning assault rifles and larger ammunition magazines in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting last month
Despite Harkin's strong political position, he has faced questions about his and his wife Ruth's role in developing a namesake policy institute at Iowa State University, Harkin's alma mater.
The Harkins and their supporters have been pushing for the institute to house papers highlighting his signature achievements, including the ADA and shaping farm policy as the former chairman of the agriculture committee.
In one long-running dispute, they've pressed ISU's president to rescind rules restricting the institute's ability to research agriculture, which Harkin derided as a violation of academic freedom. And Harkin has evaded questions about his role in fundraising for the institute after disclosure reports showed some of its largest donors are firms that have benefited from his policies.
Harkin dismissed that those questions had any bearing on his decision.
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Our Senator will be 75 when sworn in, January 2014 since he is running basically unopposed. The State Democratic party is not running a competitive candidate.
Andrew Lamar Alexander, Jr. (born July 3, 1940) is the senior United States Senator from Tennessee since 2003 after taking Senator Fred Thompson's empty chair in 2002. He was previously the Conference Chair of the Republican Party from 2007 to 2012. Excerpt Wikipedia
Tom Vilsack for U.S. Senate from Iowa 2014!
@Seeking -
"GOP Comeback - funny since it's always the Democrats who have to fix the economy after Republicans almost ruin it."
I'm not saying Republicans have always spent wisely (at least better than Dems), but Obama then took over and poured gasoline on it! If you think what Obama's done to the economy is called "fixing", please...stay home and outta my wallet!
Tyranny Begins
First of all - those of us that actually live in Iowa know that Harkin hasn't been a Iowa resident in decades. Yes - he owns property in Cumming - a very small community south of Des Moines. But he has not lived there in forever.
Second of all - the guy has never met a tax he felt was too low, a law he felt was not complicated enough, a business he felt wasn't regulated enough, etc. He is every bit as liberal as our current president. And we can't all be liberal. After all - someone has to work in order to pay taxes. Not enough rich folks for that.
And Third - the guy is a turd. Well - maybe not really but I needed a word that rhymes with third.
Anyhow - now we will get to see Bruce Brayley and Christie Vilsack doug is out for the Democratic nod. At least Brayley lives where he says he lives. Unlike Ms Vilsack (can anyone named Vilsack actually get a job for a living and stop sucking on the govt boob?) who moved into a congressional district with the sole intention of (losing) running against Steve King.
Congrats Tom - now you can stop sucking on the boob reserved for Gubment employees and shift over to the one that is reserved for ex-politicians. Tom Harkin - another guy whose entire career has been spent pulling pay and perks from the American Taxpayer. Thanks Tom - for finally getting the fist out of DC.
Good riddance.
Yep...getting out before the feces hits the fan and when it does, it won't be evenly distributed.
About Freaking time! He has been the greatest waste of space in the Senate! He only gets re-elected because of unions and the fact Iowans tend to let you stay as long as you don't screw up. For such a long tenure, he has wielded little power in the Senate. He never gets mentioned. He has done nothing for Iowa and everything for every place else. The rest of the liberals will miss him but Iowans won't. Good riddance! A career politician from the get go, not a public servant. It is just a job to him.
How come that prior to Grassley and Harkin, Iowans almost never re-elected anybody to the Senate? I remember guys like Roger Jepsen being on lists of "rising stars", and then gone at the next election. Why did that change so dramatically? Now Iowa is like the old "Solid South" of the early and mid-20th century, where Senators served essentially for life.
Time to step aside meaning I have stolen enough.
How many is this now who have stated their intent not to run for re-election in 2014 in both the Senate and the House.
The rats have realized that the ship is sinking. Having gorged themselves, it's time to get off before going down with it. What a sorry group and a sad state of affairs.
But, hey, you get what you vote for and if you don't hold them accountable . . .
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Can you come up with an intelligent comment or are you that stupid boy.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
There are a total of 35 Senate seats to be contested in the next midterm. 3 Senators have announced their retirement (2-D, 1-R) so far, another 5 are undecided (4-D, 1-R) and the remaining 27 have said they will run for reelection in 2014.
Useful info. Thanks, Dennis.
Good riddence to Tom Harkin.
His hot air about supposedly caring for famers while being nothing but another congressional robot voter for restrictions of freedom was pathetic.
I defended my school, Kaplan University from his political attacks.
The faculty and staff generally were very good to excellent.
Harkin’s claims were unfounded because comparably, many state colleges and universities caused the very same thing he was accusing private institutions of with his "for profit schools investigations", meaning that all schools must undergo similar investigatory committees, not just "for profit" institutions. But his committee only targeted private institutions.
Harkin’s efforts were clearly to recruit students for Iowa State University, as many have seen the economy reduced the students numbers significantly in state universities because there are better options out there.
If federal financial aid is funded by a better private institution, then students will gravitate to Kaplan University for its outstanding faculty and convenience, especially those raising families.
I love my school and am glad that Senator Harkin has made this wise choice. He caused a great deal of unnecessary damage to students and faculty.
Reread the second to last paragraph of the article. No Democrook just steps down; they keep voting even after death... unless conviction is in the wind. Think Jessie Jr.
An opportunity for a true American from the Libertarian Party or the Constitutional Party to step up and do the country right. If the Republicons or the Democrooks decide to run, let the lying begin. ©2013
Another "spread the wealth" socialist....down the tubes....seems Obama's allies are jumping the failing ship.
It's hilarious....DemoKKKcrats only want to SPREAD THE WEALTH....of other people. Just as long as it's NOT THEIR OWN WEALTH.
DTJB-it's a pretty good assumption that you are a Repuke. It would sure be nice if you would get your head out of your a$$ while you are talking. The only wealth you Repukes want to spread is to rob it from the middle class and poor and pass it around the RICH. BTW, you made reference to KKK by putting it in the name-Democrat but it's mostly your Rich Repuke slave owners who were the KKK members, but then again you REPUKES are always good at inventing your own facts. Have a nice day and here's hoping you don't fart and blow your head off......btw--I am from Iowa....
JOE BIDEN ----2016
And you have a clear case of STUPID....You are the picture of the demoKKKcrats.
Even though Tom is a Democrat and we will miss his level headed thinking, I think he should set a standard for 2 terms[now] and out. e did a wonderful job but 2 terms is long enough for any politician. No doubt in my mind he will be replaced by another Democrat. Now if the goof that is on the other side, Chuck Grassley to quit it would be wonderful. It's time to CHUCK, Chuck.....
Whole lot of good that Iowa education did for ya idiot...how can he set an example of 2 terms and out after he did 5? thats the Democratic example of leadership...whats good for me is good, but you must be limited. Why dont you start thinking of the country and not some lame corrupt party affiliation?
60's veteran -- do you not know how to turn "bold"? Or do you think that everything that you have to say is of the utmost importance? Or are you one of those guys who just yells all the time when he talks, too?
The article said that this opens up the way for a new generation of Democrats to seek higher office. Are Republicans, Independents, Libertarians banned from trying to fill this seat? Never one sided reporting on MSNBC!
Blamo--not at all,it's just they will lose....I am an Iowan Democrat
Republicans will regain the Senate in 2014 and then Obama will be rendered POWERLESS...Gawd it is going to fun watching him squirm.....and the Court Systems says Obama is finished with his power grabs...
LIBERALS ARE THE FACE OF BABY KILLERS....they use children as pawns...when it will gain them something....other wise they'd rather ABORT THE BABY THAN HAVE IT BORN. LIBERALS ARE BABY KILLERS.
With a hard-right avatar? Interesting.
Any day a liberal retires is a good day, don't let the door hit you in the rear on your way out.
Now, if there's ANYTHING that's an oxymoron, its the term "liberal populist"! Liberal = free market capitalist; Populist = egalitarian democrat. Need I say anymore about the corporate US media's inability to understand just how backward the nation's politics is?
The labels "liberal, and consevative" when used in the political sense are somewhat amusing. For instance "liberals" want to limit people's liberties.
Classical "liberals" did not want to limit people's liberties as they were for economic freedom, whilst nineteenth century "conservatives" wanted to "conserve" things like state-granted monopolies and slavery. The term "liberal" has been co-opted in modern times (at least in North America) by people who trypically represent the left-wing, statist side of the Progressive movement.
Addendum: Populist democrat Tom was one of only two Dems to reject Blobama's effort to compromise with the Re...Tea Party on the Fiscal Cliff baloney. That compromise cost our nation well over a trillion dollars in revenue over a ten year period. America will sadly miss this rare true democrat and fiscal conservative.
Where would these revenues have come from?
From going off the "fiscal cliff"! Then there would have been lots more taxes on lots less national income.
Why do liberal think only the right has rich people??? Dont they know that Bill Gates, one of the richest in the world and Oprah, also a billionaire are on the left?? Also, most of the hollywood millionaires are lefties too. So shut the #@#$ up about only the right being rich.
Finally, this blog is about a good american who served well so take all your left and right hatred to a site that ask for opinions from bedwetters. By the way, I am an independent who doesnt like either side.
Gary
Rich liberals apologize for their wealth and say that they should pay more. Then they go to their tax accountant and tell him to save them every penny possible.
as an Iowan and an American that has watched this country decline for the last 40 yrs...I see Harkin as a constant. Im tired of elitist career politicians. And dont think for a minute that ''progressive'' Harkin aint gettin out of the game to not deal with SOCIAL issues..cuz HE SURE AS HELL HAS NEVER DEALT WITH ANY ECONOMIC ONES...now to get Grassley home...
Three down, many more to go and I mean both democrat and republican lifers. Harry Reid needs to go next and I will celebrate. No senate budget in 3 years, mainly Reid to blame, which has helped contribute to our ballooning deficit.
Because liberals play into people's emotions. In this case envy and jealousy. They have no intellectual logic. It is a collective personality disorder to pit others against others to look good.
Adolf Hitler comes to mind.
the last comment was to Gary in regards "why to liberals think only rich people are republicans".
Hit the reply button..it works so well.
The only reason that we cannot have term limits is because the supreme court thinks we will want it for them next too so they resist. There should be an age limit if not term limits. Corporations can push you out and so should the federal government and that means at every level.
When has the Supreme Court rule against term limits?
That was back in May 1995. Granted there are plenty of people on these boards who weren't born then. 8>) However, some of us remember.
The Supreme Court ruled today that in the absence of a constitutional amendment, neither states nor Congress may limit the number of terms that members of Congress can serve. The vote was 5 to 4.
This had no effect on state or local govt. term limits (nor was it intended to), and many jurisdictions have them. They just can't extend them to Members of Congress in absence of a constitutional amendment.
I would love to see both Congress and the Supreme Court (and other Federal judges, for that matter) sujbect to some sort of term limits, but good luck ever getting that constitutional amendment through Congress.
Another radical progressive GIVE A WAY artist! We can never restore a semblance of integrity without "TERM LIMITS"!