Washington (CNN)Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley announced on Friday that he will run for reelection, further solidifying Republican chances of holding the seat in 2022.
"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," Grassley, who is 88 and was first elected to the US Senate in 1980, wrote on Twitter, including a GIF of himself running. "I'm running for re-election—a lot more to do, for Iowa. We ask and will work for your support. Will you join us?"
Grassley's announcement ends months-long speculation over whether he would run. Former Iowa Rep. Abby Finkenauer is the highest-profile Democrat to so far announce a challenge for the seat, though Iowa has trended more conservative in recent years and backed Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020.
"After 47 years in Washington, D.C., Chuck Grassley has changed from an Iowa farmer to just another coastal elite," Finkenauer said in a statement after Grassley's announcement, accusing him of "running yet again on an agenda that puts big pharma over our seniors, Wall Street over workers, and monopoly corporations over the mom and pop small businesses that make Iowa strong."
The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip
Grassley in the past has dismissed polls suggesting many of his constituents want him to step aside and said last week that he's 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."
Read More
"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.
Grassley, the 10th longest-serving US senator in history, is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and holds several influential committee spots.
This story has been updated with additional background information.
CNN's Kristin Wilson, Manu Raju and Chandelis Duster contributed to this report.
Paid Content
Mansion Global Daily: Celebs in the New York Suburbs, the… Mansion Global
【般若波罗蜜多心经】手抄经书可以静心、冥想、内观、正念，让… 可7-11/全家超商取货，免邮到家
一张嘴总是一股臭味?只需一招轻鬆搞定！ 满点吐息
当爬楼梯变得困难时，楼梯升降机可能正是您所需要的。 楼梯升降机 | 搜索广告
This is a big loss for Sylvester Stallone. Mansion Global
One Japanese Tool That Is Taking Over Kitchens In Taiwan naifu-pro.org
Senior living homes in Yuanlin may surprise you Senior Living Homes | Sponsored Listings
Taliban gives thousands of Kandahar residents three days to leave their homes, protesters say Asia
New York Times: Trump campaign was aware attorneys' voting conspiracy theories were baseless, court documents show Politics
Business Boeing to build its first foreign assembly plant
U.S. Rev. Jesse Jackson is discharged from rehab facility after being…
Politics Analysis: Donald Trump turned on Lindsey Graham. Of course.
2021年的植牙费用可能使您惊讶 Sponsored: 牙种植体| 搜索广告
【台北彝家治廯汤】正品草本百廯乳膏：快速止痒·杀菌抗菌·滋养防护！不吃药，不打针，一擦止廯养，一副断廯根、活动仅限3天，无效果退全款！ Sponsored: 可7-11/全家超商取货，免邮到家
Senior living homes in Yuanlin may surprise you Sponsored: Senior Living Homes | Sponsored Listings
Invest now $ 200 in Companies like Amazon or others and get a new income. Here's how to do it! Sponsored: Top Invest Advisor
How Much Do Funerals Cost In Singapore? Funeral Services | Search Ads
The Cost of Real Estate in Miami Might Surprise You Miami Real Estate | Sponsored Listing
Taiwan: New WiFi Booster Stops Expensive Internet Next Tech
Paid Content
【智能电动刮痧仪】负压温灸秒出痧、疏通经络、美容养颜，2折下杀，赠：精油+过滤芯 可7-11/全家超商取货，免邮到家 Yuanlin : Online Jobs in the USA May Pay More Than You Think Sponsored Listings The Japanese Way To Free Your Body from Toxins tech4-you.com The Research-Backed Solution for Dark Spots & Discoloration Shop Paulas Choice: Paula's Choice Skincare & Cosmetics
More from CNN
Analysis: Donald Trump's mental health becomes an issue again Fashion editor Richard Buckley, husband of Tom Ford, dies at 72 Taliban spokesman responds to Biden's move to freeze billions Analysis: George W. Bush just threw a whole lot of shade at…
Recommended by