Two Grassleys File on Thursday

Both Grassleys File Thursday

The Grandpa and Grandson will be on the ballot together for the first time this June, as U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and state Rep. Pat Grassley both filed Thursday. Grandpa last ran in 2004, and Grandson was first elected in 2006.

If both Grassleys win, Grandpa will extend his 52 consecutive years in office streak to 58 years by the time the term ends in 2016... at which point Grandson will be over the constitutional age limit of 30 to run. I'm just sayin'.

Also filing today for the Republicans was state auditor Dave Vaudt, who ran totally unopposed in 2006.

Locally, Republican Jarad Klein is making a second try in House District 89. Klein fell just short of Riverside Democrat Larry Marek in 2008. After the GOP lost that seat, the only Republican House member representing any of Johnson County was Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton), who also filed today. Kaufmann is seeking a fourth term in House District 79. Kaufmann had an opponent in name only in 2008 (she quit the race even before the primary but never bothered to withdraw).

(Also locally, at the courthouse level, Supervisor Janelle Rettig files for her first full term.)

Former Senate leader and RPI chair Stu Iverson is officially on the comeback trail, filing today in House District 9 against Rep. McKinley Bailey (D-Webster City).

Dave Thede makes the Democratic primary official in the race I seem to mention every day, Senate District 41. Richard Clewell filed yesterday. GOP incumbent Dave Hartsuch is the only one who hasn't, yet.

Six-packer Brian Quirk (D-New Hampton) filed in House District 15. The Republicans didn't try in 2008, as Quirk easily beat an independent. This time he'll face Michael Klimseth.

It may be a three-way GOP primary for the right to take on Rep. Andrew Wenthe in House District 18. Sandy Salmon filed yesterday, and farmer Roger Arthur is now in. Policeman Darin Rulapaugh of Oelwein has also announced.

Madison County Supervisor Joan Acela filed in House 73, where Jodi Tymeson is stepping down. Acela will face Roger Billings, and possibly farmer/attorney Julian Garrett, in the Republican primary.

Two-term Rep. Eric Palmer (D-Oskaloosa) wants to make it three in House District 75. Two Republicans have already filed: Grinnell city council member Larry Wilson and retired Marine Gen. Guy Vander Linden.

Insurance agent Paul Kern (R-Dubuque) will challenge Speaker Pat Murphy in House District 28. Murphy won with 69% in 2008.

Des Moines Democrat Ako Abdul-Samad won a four-way House 66 primary in 2008 with a clear majority and brushed aside a Green opponent in November. He has a primary again, from social conservative Clair Rudison.

Other incumbents filing were Richard Anderson (R-Clarinda), who ran unopposed in 2008 in House District 97, and Clel Baudler (R-Greenfield), who won with 58 in 58 last cycle.