who is running against chuck grassley 2022
The room was small, with vinyl tile flooring, wood paneling, and homemade curtains. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); According to the non-partisan Cook Political Report this race is rated as solid Republican Des Moines Primary 2022: Abby Finkenauer candidate profile . Still, most of his focus is on domestic issues. He says if reelected, he will build on programs he initiated in office, including Iowas Iowas 529 College Saving Programs, which invests and distributes money to help families save for higher education costs free of federal and state taxes. bedtime. Its time for the 88-year-old to call it quits if hes unable to stand up to the Big Lie. Grassley has always walked a delicate balance with Trump; he did not formally endorse him in 2016, but attended at least one Trump campaign event. Three candidates, former Rep. Abby Finkenauer, former Admiral Mike Franken and Dr. Glenn Hurst, are running for the Democratic nomination for US Senate to unseat Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley. Caleb McCullough, Executive Editor. Home / News / Government & Politics / Campaigns & Elections, Oct. 8, 2021 4:38 pm, Updated: Oct. 10, 2021 9:55 am. Published November 8, 2022 at 10:25 AM CST. He questioned Reagans military spending and pushed for hearings on unfettered defense budgets. Who will create property tax discounts for seniors in Iowa? The Associated Press called Grassley's race at 8:27 p.m. And the people didnt seem to care about the KKK or any of that. CORRECTION:A previous version of this story reported Abby Finkenauer served one term in the Iowa House. J.D. Incumbent Reynolds, 63, is running for her second full term in office. And on January 5, 2021, Grassley suggested he didnt believe that Mike Pence would preside over the certification of Joe Bidens electoral victory, that if Pence didnt show up, he, as president pro tempore of the Senate, would preside over the process, and that it would be really wrong for me to say I have my mind made up about the election results. Above to the left,. Retired Navy Admiral Mike Franken is on the ballot this November running as the Democrat to unseat long-time Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley. 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. But Grassley has continued to maintain his lead in available funds, with $3.5 million cash on hand, according to the campaign filings. Shaken and trying to recover, Culver lost his edge. Axne currently serves on the Financial Services Committee and Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House. The John Birch Society attacked Culver, and John Birchers donated to Grassleys campaign. Just last year he snapped a 27-year streak of not missing a vote after a positive COVID-19 test result.. The Chicago Police Department's superintendent announced Wednesday he will step down in two weeks, seven months before he turns 63, the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers. In her campaign announcement, Miller-Meeks, 66, said she would stand up against Washington Democrats and their socialist agenda if re-elected. 0:00. Floridas wannabe autocrat and possible 2024 contender isnt Trump, but hes as dangerous to democracy. And many have. Now lives in Cedar Rapids. Frankens wife and two of his staff members are traveling with him. The crowd at the Sioux Center rally on June 29, 2021, is silent. UNI Prof Wants to Try New Model to Curb Gun Violence in Waterloo; https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings. Reynolds is campaigning on continued work in the Iowa Legislature on issues like, , a 35-year-old Democratic activist and former candidate for secretary of state. Naval Academy, Postgraduate School- MS of Physics, Major civic activities: Special Olympics coach - 2017 - 2019, U.S. Navy 40 years, Defense department Wide Energy Efficiency Award. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. He posited the orchestra pit theory, that if you have two guys on a stage and one guy says, I have a solution to the Middle East problem, and the other guy falls in the orchestra pit, who do you think is going to be on the evening news?. has been credited with conservatives big wins in the 1980s. He will hold on to it with every frail and wobbly ounce of his strength. All the boys slunk down in their chairs, except Grassley, who raised his hand. Hes also in favor of expanding the Supreme Court. Up until then, Grassleys meetings had been more like lectures. While Sanchez doesnt like to talk about politics, he says politicians are not thinking with their senses. The incumbent GOP senator was backed by 47 percent of likely Iowa voters compared to 39 percent who supported his Democratic challenger. 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. The . Iowa Starting Line is part of an independent news network and focuses on how state and national decisions impact Iowans daily lives. It's not a new car just big thoughts on planet Earth, Look up! After the leaked Supreme Court opinion on abortion rights, Finkenauer has spoken out at several pro-choice rallies about her longtime support of womens health care and noting how useful it would be to have a young woman in the Senate who can talk personally about reproductive rights. Some have been held for a year. She laughed and said, I think he kinda liked me.. Democrat Mike Franken aims to defeat GOP Senator Chuck Grassley in Iowa in the upcoming November midterms, hoping to flip a Republican-held seat blue to help his political party retain, or possibly shore up, their slim majority in the Senatebut recent polls show he's facing an uphill battle. Grassley, 89, announced in September that he will run for an eighth term in the U.S. Senate. Miller argues that is not the primary role of the office and that hell work for the interests of ordinary Iowans, including challenging big-tech monopolies. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin. Ive been through so many election cycles where Democrats were doing well in September and come November, things have fallen apart, Varley said. South Dakotan Mark Mowry, who has never held elected office, announced this week he will challenge Thune in the state's June 2022 Republican primary. He won the June primary this year, however, with just over 55 percent of the vote. Franken applauds President Joe Biden for signing the Inflation Reduction Act earlier this month and is pleased Democrats got something passed in Congress. "Either way, Im not going to be there," Carlin said, according to a transcript of the interview. All rights reserved. Krause's team said in a press release he will work to defend American democracy after . Venus and Jupiter are going in for a nighttime kiss, White-tailed deer coronavirus infections could prolong the human pandemic, He proposed 60 years ago, then broke her heart. 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. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Redistricting made things a little trickier for Iowas House races. Hes rarely profiled, and there is only one biography of him, written by a reporter who later went on to become his campaign flack. Her main issues focus on labor and the working class of Iowans, and Finkenauer has frequently said shes running for everyday Iowans to have a voice in the senate and to get Grassley out. It was carried out from July 10 to 13 by Selzer & Co. A previous poll conducted from June 30 to July 4 for Franken's campaign by Change Research showed a closer race, although Grassley was still in the lead. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 410-340-3440. The Base? hoped Grassley would not seek reelection. He says hed like to see Congress enforce stricter gun laws and reform immigration. Smith, who has served in the Iowa Senate since 2011, said during a debate in October that he would advocate for tax cuts in the Legislature and he faulted Fitzgerald for not registering in favor of recent Republican tax-cut legislation. So Id say its about a 50-50 right now for me.". Also worth noting: Almost 7 in 10 (68%) of politically crucial independents want someone else other than Grassley too. She also opened up about her personal diagnosis with endometriosis and pushed for increased research funding on it. The October Iowa Poll found the senator has just a 3-point lead against Franken, at 46% to 43%. However, the lack of a full-time US ambassador in New Delhi for the past two years stands in contrast to these lofty pronouncements. Like most bills, it's not perfect. Franken is a retired Navy vice admiral and former Defense Department official. They are former U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids, Minden physician. Can the Republican hold on to the political movement he helped build? I think our generation and the next will thank [President] Biden, the Senate and the House because it lays out a groundswell of support for a more electrified society, Franken told IPR while he rode in a van between the Perry stop and a private fundraiser in Boone. Franken announced his candidacymonths later, but heoutspent Finkenauer on advertising and quickly gained support among Democrats. Chuck really had him sweating.. It stands to reason, but he wouldve been courting the most conservative elements of the party in a battle against [Republican primary candidate] Tom Stoner and the moderate elements of the party, said Yepsen. In 1980, Roger Ailes, then a political consultant, came to Iowa to test out a theory on Grassleys campaign for Senate. 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. Hurst got more involved in local politics after Donald Trumps election in 2016, becoming a leader in the grassroots Indivisible movement. Secretary of State:Linn County Auditor Joel Miller, 66, won the Democratic nomination to face incumbent Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate in the general election. While two consecutive congressional losses in a row isn't the usual launching pad to a top-of-ticket statewide run, Scholten remains a popular figure among Iowa Democrats, in part due to his insights on rural campaigning. Hes a senior senator from a state with a largely consolidating and contracting free press. Meet The Democrats Running To Challenge Chuck Grassley Posted May 20th, 2022 at 1:35pm by Pat Rynard Left to Right: Abby Finkenauer (AP Photo), Mike Franken, Glenn Hurst The important June 7 primary election is fast approaching in Iowa, with early voting already underway at local county auditor's offices. Dave Muhlbauer is the first Democrat to launch a campaign challenging the long-time incumbent Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA) for one of Iowa's U.S. Senate seats in the 2022 midterm elections. The 87-year-old does push-ups, too. ), Roxanne Conlin, a lawyer who ran against Grassley in 2009, worked with him when he was the head of Iowas judiciary committee. Miller-Meeks, 66, faces one challenger in the 1st District. Frankens campaign reported $1.3 million cash on hand. 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. His shoulders slumped forward, his head leaned in, as he listened and answered questions. Both Gov. how universal health care can revitalize rural Iowa, Transamerica Cuts Jobs In Cedar Rapids, Buys Back $200M In Stocks, Business Owner: Reynolds Unemployment Cuts Hurt Concrete Workers, 20 House Republicans Sign Bill To Ban Nearly All Abortion In Iowa, The Stories Behind 6 of Iowas Coolest Bridges, Trans Iowan To Republican Lawmakers: You Truly Hate Us, New House Republicans Bill Limits Parental Rights For LGBTQ Families, In Bizarre Lawsuit, Right-Wing Activist Sues Ankeny Schools For $87 Million Over Drag Show, Iowa Doctors Correct Republican Reps On LGBTQ Health Care Myths, Bill To Remove Slavery From Iowa Constitution Advances, GOP May Ban Kids From Plays, WWE Events In Attempt To Keep Them From Drag Shows, Key Moments From Iowa Democrats US Senate Debate. 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. Grassleys primary challenger, Carlin, has repeated these claims and accused Grassley of not doing enough to overturn the election results. We rely on your financial support to keep our stories free for all to read. He got a masters in political science, then went to the University of Iowa for his PhD, but dropped out when he decided to run for the Iowa House, and because he was married and had a growing family of four to feed. Your email address will not be published. The controversy around Eric Garcetti, US President Joe Biden's pick for ambassador to India. The survey included 597 likely Iowan voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Hurst has positioned himself as the most progressive in the Democratic primary, and as such, he argues, the most electable of the group. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. The men hug. Both Hinson and Mathis, 63, are former television journalists. Whether Franken ultimately manages to do so, or potentially even pull off an upset victory, remains to be seen. This is my last year. That pointed to a potentially closer race than Grassley has faced since he defeated Democratic Sen. John Culver in 1980. Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, is the clear frontrunner in his reelection campaign against Democratic challenger Mike Franken, according to recent polls. The very right-wing political movement, the New Right, that helped give him his rise is now having a renaissance. Iowa: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R), who was elected to the Senate the same night that Ronald Reagan became President, indicated over the weekend that he will announce his 2022 political plans prior to November 1st. The former president has been politically weakened, with reports of former Trump allies looking to Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and other Republican hopefuls to take the reins. Fitzgerald, first elected in 1983, is the longest-serving state treasurer in the country. Election Results:See Iowa primary election results across the state. His campaign centers on psychedelic drug therapy as a way to address gun violence and mental health care. 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. Early voting starts in Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 19, for the November general election, where Republicans are working to hold onto their trifecta control in the Statehouse, as well as their U.S. congressional seats. If he wins reelection in November, Iowas longest-serving senator would be 95 years old by the end of another term. Reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel contributed reporting. In every reelection campaign since 1986, Grassley has beat his liberal challengers by large double-digit margins. The primary election happens June 7 and early, in-person voting is now open at county auditors offices. 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. Grassley, a man who has held elected office longer than most of his constituents have been alive, has a point to makehuffing and puffing on that stage, Grassley is proving that he wont let go of power. Heading into the general, Grassley has $4.6 million cash on hand, having outraised all three of the Democratic contenders in the primary race. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Read the full Q&A with Franken here. DeJear called for the state government to use its budget surplus to increase education and mental health funding at the Iowa State Fairin August. Sen. Chuck Grassley, the eighth-longest-serving senator in US history, has won the Iowa Senate race against Democratic hopeful Mike . But by last fall, Grassley put the rumors to rest, releasing a video of himself running at dawn. But even so, history is catching up with him. Grassleys win was an early tremor preceding the earthquake of the 1980 election. Its tempting to underestimate Grassley. Culvers pitcher was somehow settled precariously on his podium shelf. They are former U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids, Minden physician Glenn Hurst, Manning cattle farmer Dave Muhlbauer and former state legislator Bob Krause of Burlington. Apr. Farmers were saying to me later, Did you see Culver sweat? 7, 2022 7:48 am267d ago, Erin Murphy Campaigns & Elections May. (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. Her father was a union pipefitter-welder, her mother a school secretary. I just didn't think it was that bad. It also means replacing candidates who no longer stand for those values. And asking him why he was playing footsie with liberals. 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. Because he will be 89 years of age at the time of the next election, many believed early that he would retire. Antonio Sanchez introduces himself to Franken and they talk briefly. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. (Lobbyists, and not always the ones most on the . He needed the endorsement. Chuck Grassley. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. The house had no electricity and no indoor plumbing. In his memoir, Obama describes Grassley as toying with the administration over possibly supporting the Affordable Care Act. She and Rep. Cindy Axne were the first women from Iowa to be elected to the US House in 2018. Three Senate Republicans who voted for $1.2 trillion "infrastructure" hoax have Republican primary opponents in 2022. This is Franken's second Senate campaign. I will condemn it., Former President Donald Trump smiles as Sen. Chuck Grassley speaks during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on October 09, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. by Iowa Capital Dispatch staff, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 13, 2022. Ernst tweeted a condemnation of Kings comments, and Grassley, more tepid, did as well, telling reporters he found it offensive to claim white supremacy. Secretary of agriculture: Republican incumbent Mike Naig will face Democrat John Norwood. 1, 2022 6:00 am, Updated: Jun. State Rep. Christina Bohannan, a Democrat and University of Iowa law professor. The important June 7 primary election is fast approaching in Iowa, with early voting already underway at local county auditors offices. Franken is a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate. Required fields are marked *. With just four months until the primary election, Iowa's congressional and governor races are starting to solidify. but attended at least one Trump campaign event. Bidens 39% approval rating imary winner might be more of a sacrificial lamb considering Bidens 39% approval ratings. After that, she served a term in the US House of Representatives and represented the first district from 2019 to 2021. The. In frustration, one woman replied, Youve been in office too long, Vanity Fairs 2023 Hollywood Issue Welcomes You to the After-Party of Our Dreams, Inside the New Rights Next Frontier:The American West, The Strange, Sexually Charged Genesis of Gloria Swansons Legendary Memoir, The One Thingthe Royal Family Never Travels Without: Blood, NetflixsMurdaugh Murders Team Say Theyve Uncovered New Crimes, Trumps Relationship With Jared and Ivanka Is About to Get a Lot More Awkward, The Cringey Sexcapades of a Horny Billionaire, What Is Cinema? I dont think he wanted to be considered blatantly sexist, though I believe that he was. 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. Grassleys push-ups are precarioushis arms barely bend, his movements are small and slow. Franken is a veteran in the military and on U.S. Senate campaigns in Iowa: he also ran in the Democratic primary in 2020 for the seat held by Republican Joni Ernst. Befitting the idea of " Iowa nice, " Leach said he won't run down Grassley, only talk up Franken, who he said has needed military knowledge and skills. Latino Festival at Pattee Park in Perry on Saturday. She, Iowa is going to be a state where you can live your life freely, if she is reelected. Franken also points to Kansass recent rejection of a proposed state constitutional amendment earlier this month that would have said there was no right to an abortion in the state. Democrat Ryan Melton, 37, is an insurance supervisor in Story County. Article last updated 10/18/22. Behind Grassley was a painting of a soldier with a sunset behind him. Sanchez owns El Rey Market, Restaurant & Guns in Perry. In 2022, he was reelected to his eighth Senate term, having first been elected in 1980. I also need Steve King in Congress. In 2019, after The New York Times published an article documenting Kings racism, King was stripped of his committee assignments. She also advocated for gun safety regulations following an Ames shooting in June. Sen. Joni Ernst, 51, will not be up for reelection until 2026. Rian Johnson, Halle Berry, and More Share Their Inspiration, From the Archive:Who Stole the Oscars? Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. I said it's long past time for it to go. Hometown: Sherrill (Dubuque County). He has. "Im considering maybe not being there in January because, as you know the (U.S. Senate) campaign requires a lot of travel-wise, and I just want to be able to make sure that Im able to do an adequate job serving in the Senate and campaigning for this U.S. Senate seat. He says he is approaching this election no differently than years past, but Democrats say this is the year he can be beat. Mike Franken. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. He says hes worked successfully to expand markets for Iowa farm products and increasing the debate for biofuels. Grassley and his campaign have repeatedly said they had no knowledge of a plan to overturn the election.) Chuck Grassley is doing push-ups onstage with Tom Cotton while Joni Ernst counts into the microphone. OSSIAN, Iowa Chuck Grassley still gets up at 4 a.m. every day and often goes for a 2-mile run. Politics Iowa 2022 elections chuck grassley . Clay Masters is Iowa Public Radios Morning Edition host and lead political reporter. Read more. Some people recognize the politician but hes also still introducing himself. The Democrat and fifth-generation farmer said Monday in his announcement video, Iowa is home, and the farmland is in his blood. No More Mr. 'Iowa Nice' Guy: Former GOP Giant Jim Leach On Siding Against Chuck Grassley. Finkenauer has said she was motivated to run when she watched insurrectionists attack the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Yes, the Cook Political Report and other analyses are not promising. Franken served in the U.S. Navy from 1970 to 2017 and reached the rank of three-star admiral. DeJear officially kicked off her gubernatorial campaign on Aug. 14. State Rep. Christina Bohannan, a Democrat and University of Iowa law professor, announced her campaign in August. While its a sizable lead, its a narrower margin than in any Iowa Poll involving Grassley since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980. But still, his grip on the conservative movement he helped build is precarious. Hurst also took on leadership roles in the Iowa Democratic Partys Rural Caucus and the 3rd Congressional District committee, and he spoke out locally when a militia group gathered in Council Bluffs in response to baseless rumors of racial justice riots.. But in my in my view, it's a lot better than nothing.. Longtime Iowa GOP Sen. Charles E. Grassley announced early Friday morning he will run for an eighth term in the Senate, giving Republicans one fewer open-seat race to navigate in 2022. Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Polls have shown Grassley more vulnerable. Voters can start requesting absentee ballots on Tuesday and will get a chance to see Sen. Grassley and Mike Franken debate on statewide Iowa PBS on Thursday, October 6, 2022. (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. 4 min read. A judge ruled in favor of the campaign, invalidating 50,000 request forms sent by Millers office. Born on a military base in Germany, his family later moved to the Midwest and Hurst would attend medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa Democrat Mike Franken, a retired Navy admiral, will challenge Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley's reelection this fall after winning his party's nomination Tuesday over two competitors. While he has maintained a lead in the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll leading up to the midterms, he faces a much tighter margin than in previous election cycles. Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. She spoke to the Iowa Capital Dispatch about her campaign priorities and the future of the Democratic party in Iowa. Shes campaigned on supporting public education, better access to health care and stopping inflation. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, elected to represent Iowas 2nd District, announced in November that she would move into the 1st District and run for reelection there. "While Grassley leads Franken, the margin is narrower than in any Iowa Poll matchup involving Grassley since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate. He worked in his fathers workshop and spent three years on a job in a slaughterhouse in Sioux City before embarking on his military service. Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Franken, 64, won the Democratic Senate primary. One man stood up to ask Grassley, Knowing that the FBI and Capitol Police were complicit in January 6, what have you done to get the political prisoners being held in gulag conditions out on bail? Frankens greatest increase in support came from independents. At the time, Conlin was the assistant attorney general, and she says her job was to purge Iowas laws of sexism, including laws that mandated that only men could cut mens hair, or that allowed women to be sentenced to prison for longer than a man for the same crime. The South Carolina senator is reportedly making moves to launch a White House bid, joining an already crowded list of potential candidatesa scenario Donald Trumps team is likely very giddy about. First-term Rep. Randy Feenstra, 53, faces one opponent in the 4th District. Scroll down for a list of candidates for Congress and statewide offices who will appear on . 1:49. Iowa suddenly had political power. The 2022 general election will be held November 8, 2022. Grassley was born on September 17, 1933, in a two-story white farmhouse outside of New Hartford, Iowa. I will condemn it. In her campaign for the US Senate, Finkenauer has pitched herself as a generational contrast to an 88-year-old Grassley who first won elected office in 1958. Grassley was backed by 45 percent of likely voters and the Democratic candidate had the support of 42 percent. Chuck Grassley (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. Senate from Iowa. Hes wearing blue jeans, a dress shirt, a tie and a blue ball cap with NAVY scrawled across it in bright yellow. You can contribute to us here. Its a difficult dance. Conlin recalls that even though she and Grassley were at odds, he still allowed her bills to come out of the committee. Four Democrats are seeking their party's nomination to challenge the winner of the Grassley-Carlin primary in 2022. 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. Childrens mental health is a leading issue for Mathis, who worked on bipartisan mental health bills in the Iowa Legislature. After his first term in Congress, Grassley supported a constitutional amendment to prohibit abortion, which was a change from his softer position in 1974, when hed supported letting states decide. Or if you are a conservative, he is a symbol of the old guard of the GOP that wont step down for the new right wing. And Grassley won the primary and the general. Recent polls show the Democratic candidate trailing the Republican incumbent. Election Results:See Polk County election results as vote counts come in. Bush, and Trump. Grassley, who will be 89 years old in 2022, is running for reelection to an eighth term. When I ask Jim Hovelson, 89, Grassleys childhood friend and one of the few people around who remembers him as a boy, who Chuck Grassley is, he laughs and tells me a parable.