Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat from Iowa, will not seek reelection

Tom Harkin, considered one of the most liberal Democratic senators, announced Saturday, he will not seek reelection in 2014. Harkin's departure could leave Democrats vulnerable in Iowa. ?

By Reuters / January 26, 2013

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. talks about the fiscal cliff with reporters, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 28. On Saturday, Harkin announced he will not run for reelection in 2014.

Susan Walsh/AP

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Democratic U.S. Senator Tom?Harkin?of?Iowa?said on Saturday he will not seek re-election in 2014, saying he felt that after 40 years in?Congress, it will be "somebody else's turn."

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Harkin, 73, is one of the most liberal senators and has focused much of his long congressional career on farm policy and legislation aiding people with disabilities.

Iowa, site of the early presidential caucuses, is considered a political swing state, putting Democrats' long-held?Senate?seat at risk. Republican?Charles Grassley?is?Iowa's other U.S. senator.

"I don't by any means plan to retire completely from public life at the end of this?Congress,"?Harkin?said in a statement. "But I am going to make way for someone new in this?Senate?seat. I think that is right not just for me, but for?Iowa, as well."

In his remaining two years in office,?Harkin?said he will focus on implementing President?Barack Obama's healthcare reforms, expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities and expanding access to education.

Harkin?was first elected to the?House of Representatives?in 1974 and the?Senate?in 1984.

"When the current?Congress?is over, I will have served in the?United States?House of Representatives?and the U.S.Senate?for a total of 40 years. After 40 years, I just feel it's somebody else's turn," he said.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/RRFF-aW3hXc/Senator-Tom-Harkin-Democrat-from-Iowa-will-not-seek-reelection

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