DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge launched a campaign Friday for the Democratic nomination to run against Republican U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, making Supreme Court nomination hearings a key issue.
During an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Judge said she initially didn’t want to run but reconsidered because of Grassley’s handling of the current vacancy on the high court.
“Senator Grassley is acting like someone who has been in Washington for far too long,” she said in an email announcing her run. “Instead of working on behalf of Iowans, he’s working for his friends in Washington to block progress and promote obstructionism.”
Judge said she’s running because Iowa needs “a senator who will promote progress and not forget who they represent.”
Iowa’s first woman to serve as agriculture secretary, Judge served four years as lieutenant governor with Democrat Chet Culver, who was defeated in 2010 after one term. Judge’s announcement creates a Democratic primary with state Sen. Rob Hogg and two other Democrats.
The 82-year-old Grassley has refused to hold Supreme Court nominee hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee he chairs, a position Democrats argue weakens him politically. Judge says he’s promoting obstructionism.
As chairman, Grassley would control any Supreme Court hearing to vet a nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died unexpectedly last month in Texas.
Grassley, taking a lead from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, insists there will be no hearings for a nominee during President Barack Obama’s final year in office. Their primary argument has been that voters in this November’s general election should decide whether a Democrat or a Republican president appoints a replacement for the conservative Scalia’s seat.
It’s not a foregone conclusion that Judge will win a Democratic primary. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Senate President Pat Jochum said they’re firmly behind Hogg.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee says Judge is an out-of-touch liberal.
“I can’t do anything about anybody running against me,” Grassley said Wednesday when asked about a Judge candidacy.
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Ex- Lt. Gov. Judge launches bid against Iowa Sen. Grassley
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