Senator Chuck Grassley, the oldest member of the United States Senate, voiced his concerns about a potential Democratic successor to his seat if he were to die in office. Speaking at the GOP’s annual Reagan Dinner in West Des Moines on Friday, the 93‑year‑old Iowa Republican said he did not want a Democratic governor to make the appointment.
Grassley, who celebrated his 93rd birthday on September 17, is serving his eighth term in the Senate, which is set to expire on January 3, 2029. He added that he does not plan to die in office, but he was worried about who would be elected governor in the coming months.
Under Iowa law, if a senator dies within the next two years, the governor will make a temporary appointment to fill the seat until the 2028 election. Grassley’s remarks came as the state prepares for a gubernatorial race this fall.
“But one of the reasons I'm worried about who's going to be elected governor – I don’t plan on dying in office – but if I did, I don’t want a Democrat governor choosing my successor,” Grassley said.
Recent polls show a tight contest for the Iowa governorship. A late‑June Fox News poll found Democrat Rob Sand, the state auditor, with a nine‑point lead over Republican Zach Lahn among registered voters. A New York Times/Siena poll conducted around the same time indicated a much closer race, with the candidates essentially neck‑and‑neck among likely voters.
Grassley has not yet announced whether he will seek a ninth term in the Senate in 2028. The outcome of the upcoming gubernatorial election will therefore be closely watched by both parties.
<small>Source: Yahoo News — read the original story there.</small>