Latham Won't Run for Senate; Congressman Steve King Hasn't Decided

Congressman Steve King, R-Kiron, led early GOP polls for the US Senate seat but said Wednesday that he has not yet decided if he will run.

"A potential Senate race remains an analytical decision first and then one that requires deep conviction. Such a decision includes, of course, my family and the best interests of Iowans and Americans. It is too big a decision to be rushed." King said in a statement released on his King for Congress Facebook page.

The announcement came after Congressman Tom Latham said that he would not run for the seat, according to a report on KWWL.

Latham wrote in a letter to the people he represents that it would be wrong for him to launch a two-year campaign for office after he was just elected to his new district.

"Only 56 days ago I took an oath to 'faithfully discharge the duties' of an office with which the people of Iowa's Third Congressional District entrusted to me," he wrote. "I cannot in good conscience launch a two-year statewide campaign that will detract from the commitment I made to the people who elected me, at a time when our nation desperately needs less campaigning and more leadership,” Latham wrote according to KWWL.

Republican special interest groups backed by the likes of Karl Rove, have said that they want to stop Conservative Republicans like King from being candidates in the 2014 elections because they aren't electable.

King led possible GOP contenders after Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat, said he wouldn't seek re-election.

Congressman Bruce Braley said he would make a bid for the seat. And early polls have showed Braley ahead of King when Republicans, Democrats and Independents were surveyed.

SEE MORE ON PATCH

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• Harkin Says He Won't Run for Re-Election in 2014
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