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Iowa Democrat Finkenauer seeking GOP Sen. Grassley's seat

Joe Biden, Abby Finkenauer
Posted at 12:44 PM, Jul 22, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-22 13:44:12-04

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrat Abby Finkenauer is running for Republican Chuck Grassley’s U.S. Senate seat.

The one-term former congresswoman hopes her blue-collar credentials will propel her forward in a state that has grown more conservative over the years.

Finkenauer spoke to The Associated Press about her plans before formally announcing her candidacy by video Thursday morning. The 32-year-old offers a stark contrast to the 87-year-old Grassley, who was elected to his first Senate term eight years before Finkenauer was born.

Despite losing her House seat in 2020 after one term, Finkenauer remains a youthful prospect in the Iowa Democratic Party, which has struggled to produce a new generation for statewide office.