OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has announced that he will run for an eighth term in the U.S. Senate.
Grassley released a video on his Twitter account at 4 a.m. on Friday, squashing rumors of his retirement.
“It’s 4 a.m. in Iowa so I’m running. I do that 6 days a week. Before I start the day I want you to know what Barbara and I have decided. I’m running for re-election — a lot more to do, for Iowa,” the statement said.
Grassley will face a challenge from former Iowa Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer.
According to a September Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, Grassley leads Finkenauer by a whopping 18 percentage points.
Grassley running for re-election is good news for Republicans, who only need a net gain of 1 seat to retake control of the U.S. Senate in the 2022 midterms.
Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says he will seek an eighth term in 2022. The 88-year-old, who has been in the Senate for 40 years, said in an announcement of his reelection bid posted on Twitter that there is “a lot more to do, for Iowa." https://t.co/y3HKAOeqSR
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 24, 2021
Several Republican lawmakers responded to the news.
“Great news for the people of Iowa and the U.S. that Sen. @ChuckGrassley will seek reelection in 2022. I have served with Chuck my entire time in the Senate. He is one of the most hardworking, enthusiastic senators I have ever met with a wealth of experience and knowledge,” South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote.
Graham added in other tweets: “Chuck is a ferocious advocate for the people of Iowa and the conservative cause. Equally important, he’s a senator with a strong independent streak who can also work across the aisle. With Senate candidates like Chuck Grassley and a sharp focus by the party and its leaders on winning majorities in the House and Senate – 2022 will be a terrific year for Republicans. It’s time to look forward, not back.”
Great news for the people of Iowa and the U.S. that Sen. @ChuckGrassley will seek reelection in 2022.
I have served with Chuck my entire time in the Senate. He is one of the most hardworking, enthusiastic senators I have ever met with a wealth of experience and knowledge.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 24, 2021
Arkansas GOP Sen. Tom Cottom wrote: “Not many people know this, but Chuck Grassley continued his 4 a.m. runs *while he had COVID.* He’s unstoppable. Iowa and America are lucky that he’s going to stay in the Senate!”
Not many people know this, but Chuck Grassley continued his 4 a.m. runs *while he had COVID.*
He's unstoppable.
Iowa and America are lucky that he's going to stay in the Senate! https://t.co/RFP5ZNBrJZ
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) September 24, 2021
New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik tweeted: “Excited to see this news of one of the greats @ChuckGrassley! I’m predicting his biggest win yet – he will win by one of the biggest margins of the ‘22 cycle. America and Iowa Heart suits @ChuckGrassley @GrassleyWorks! We are all lucky to have him in the United States Senate.”
Excited to see this news of one of the greats @ChuckGrassley !
I’m predicting his biggest win yet – he will win by one of the biggest margins of the ‘22 cycle.
America and Iowa ♥️s @ChuckGrassley @GrassleyWorks ! We are all lucky to have him in the United States Senate. https://t.co/jcyB0GTlbG
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) September 24, 2021
Last week, Grassley dismissed polls suggesting many of his constituents want him to step aside, saying that he has been hearing “a lot of encouragement” from Iowans to run again.
He said he had planned to have his decision made by November 1, but added: “I’m thinking about doing it sooner.”
“I’ve been getting a lot of encouragement from Iowans for the first time — they haven’t talked to me much about it until now,” Grassley previously told CNN. “I think I keep the same schedule as when I was 65 years old, maybe even 40 years old,” he said with a laugh.
