Jim Carlin, an Iowa state Republican senator, on Monday became the first candidate to announce for U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley's seat, though the 87-year-old Grassley has yet to say whether he's retiring or will seek another term.
Grassley, a seven-term Republican, told reporters earlier this month his decision is still "several weeks off," the Des Moines Register reported.
Carlin said he plans to remain in the race even if Grassley does decide to run again in 2022.
"I appreciate (Grassley's) service, as anybody does," Carlin told the newspaper. "But I didn't get in the race to drop out."
Grassley's grandson, Iowa House Speaker Rep. Pat Grassley, said on Sunday that he does expect his grandfather to seek an eighth term.
"As I sit here right now, I think my grandfather is going to be running for reelection, and I have not been led to believe anything otherwise," he said.
Pat Grassley is expected to be among several Republicans seeking the seat should his grandfather decide not to seek another term, the Register reported.
Carlin is the first candidate to announce a run for the office, and would not say if he takes issue with any of Grassley's stances, the newspaper reported. He did say he is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and, as a state senator, has backed a bill requiring transgender people in Iowa schools to use bathrooms that match the gender on their birth certificates.
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