Iowa Report: Braley Running for Senate
Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, said today that he will run for Senate. (AP Photo/Steve Pope)
Iowa Democrats have their man. Confirming what many in the state expected following Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin's retirement announcement, Rep. Bruce Braley is telling supporters today he's running for the seat, the Quad-City Times reports. From the Times:
Braley is sending the news in an email today, saying it’s a “big responsibility” to try to fill Harkin’s shoes.
“But if you are willing to help me, I’m ready to go,” he said in the email, which was obtained by the Quad-City Times.
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Jeff Link, a senior adviser, said today Braley will begin raising money immediately and he will be reaching out to Iowans to talk about veterans and small business issues and middle-class tax cuts. A more formal announcement will come “down the road,” Link said.
Braley was seen as the logical successor to Harkin, and Democratic insiders like his chances. Not only can he pick up crossover GOP votes, they say, but he has a strong base of support among labor and progressive groups. Most think his entry into the race will clear the field of other serious Democratic contenders.
All eyes will now turn to the GOP side, where Reps. Tom Latham and Steve King are seen as the top contenders. Latham recently changed the name of his campaign committee from "Latham for Congress" to "Iowans for Latham," but has yet to announce a bid.
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