Harkin retirement could tip Senate majority leadership - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Harkin retirement could tip Senate majority leadership

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Written by Michelle Corless, Multimedia Journalist - bio | email
CEDAR RAPIDS (KWWL) -

Now that Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says he will not seek re-election in 2014, political experts say more Democrats will be defending seats than Republicans will in 2014. Harkin's empty seat could tip the leadership in the Senate.

"It's certainly an uphill battle for the Democrats to retain control of the Senate because they'll be defending so many seats," said Bruce Nesmith, Lipsky Professor of Political Science at Coe College.  "The U.S. Senate will be very much up for grabs and this will be an important seat in that struggle as an open seat.

The announcement came as a surprise to many since he was previously planning a campaign fundraiser next month.

Harkin is currently on his sixth term in the Senate.

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