CARROLL, Iowa (KTIV) -
In 1980, when Chuck Grassley won his first election to the U.S. Senate, the Republican set a goal for himself, visit all 99 counties in Iowa, every year. 32-years, and five elections, later the 78-year-old is still going strong and talking about another term.
7:45am. The basement meeting room of the Carroll County Courthouse is overflowing with people here to see one man, Iowa's senior senator, Chuck Grassley.
Grassley said, "I think its very important for people to know that I'm interested in their participation." And, it's like this at every stop. I'm one half, they're the other half. Gotta have dialogue to have representative government."
When Grassley won his first Senate race, he set a goal to visit every all 99 counties in the state, every year.
"I don't want anybody saying, and I still hear it, that you lose touch with the people," he said.
So, when the Senate is out of session, Grassley gets out of Washington.
"Now, the people here in Iowa, that say you lost touch with the people, don't know that Washington is an island surrounded by reality. So I see a need. myself, to get out here on a very regular basis to the real world where common sense reigns."
From the farm bill and "fast and furious"to immigration and education, folks ask Grassley about everything. But, how long will the 78-year-old continue traveling from river to river, and border to border?
Sen. Grassley said "As long as I'm physically able to. And you heard me say this morning that I stayed at the Super 8, and ran this morning at 5:30 in the morning. As long as I can get up and run, I think I can go to all 99 counties."
But, will Grassley "run" for another term in the Senate?
"If you had asked me that question 6-years ago, I would say I'm definitely gonna run for re-election," he said.
Today, he says he's reluctant to commit to another term, a term he wouldn't complete until he's 89-years-old.
Grassley said, "I served in the Senate with Strom Thurmond. 100-years-old when he left office. And, I served with Robert Byrd. 92-years-old when he died in office. The last 2 or 3 years that they were serving, they had to have 2 or 3 people to help them get around."
If Grassley can run, he says he will run.
"And, if I can get up and run 3 miles four times a week, like I do now, I think I might be able to run for re-election and serve a six year term."
Grassley says he'll make a decision about re-election 12-to-18 months before the election. Grassley's current term expires in 2016.
Sen. Charles Grassley addresses a crowd at a town hall meeting in Carroll, Iowa.
