DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican Matt Whitaker says he has filed the paperwork to run for U.S. Senate in 2014.
The former U.S. attorney’s move come a week after Rep. Steve King announced he would not seek the seat being vacated by retiring five-term Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.
The 43-year-old former University of Iowa football player from Clive was U.S. attorney for Iowa’s Southern District from 2004 to 2009. He ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2002.
Other Republicans weighing entry into the race include state Sen. Joni Ernst, former Reliant Energy CEO Mark Jacobs, Secretary of State Matt Schultz and Sen. Charles Grassley’s chief of staff David Young.
Rep. Tom Latham and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds also passed on running. Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley of Waterloo is his party’s only candidate.
