Vilsack mum on Senate run in Iowa
January 28, 2013 | 12:05 AM
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, over the weekend, but declined to comment on whether either he or his wife might run for Harkin’s job.
Harkin announced Friday that he will not run for re-election in 2014.
“Sen. Harkin has been and will continue to be a terrific advocate for all those in life who have needed a helping hand from struggling family farmers and working families to those meeting the challenge of a physical or mental disability,” Vilsack said in a statement.
“Sen. Harkin has been and will continue to be a passionate supporter of all those seeking to preserve and conserve our precious natural resources,” he said. “Sen. Harkin has been and will continue to be a visionary in the area of alternative approaches to treating sickness and disease. During his career he has received extraordinary support from his wife, Ruth Harkin, an accomplished public servant [on] her own. Iowans know him as a fighter and have always been proud to call him their senator.”
But when asked by The Hagstrom Report if he or his wife, Christie, would run for Harkin’s seat, Vilsack said, “Now is not the time to reflect on anyone else but on the still evolving career and contribution of the senator.”
Tom Vilsack has served as governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007, and Christie Vilsack last year ran unsuccessfully for the House seat of Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.
Harkin announced Friday that he will not run for re-election in 2014.
“Sen. Harkin has been and will continue to be a terrific advocate for all those in life who have needed a helping hand from struggling family farmers and working families to those meeting the challenge of a physical or mental disability,” Vilsack said in a statement.
“Sen. Harkin has been and will continue to be a passionate supporter of all those seeking to preserve and conserve our precious natural resources,” he said. “Sen. Harkin has been and will continue to be a visionary in the area of alternative approaches to treating sickness and disease. During his career he has received extraordinary support from his wife, Ruth Harkin, an accomplished public servant [on] her own. Iowans know him as a fighter and have always been proud to call him their senator.”
But when asked by The Hagstrom Report if he or his wife, Christie, would run for Harkin’s seat, Vilsack said, “Now is not the time to reflect on anyone else but on the still evolving career and contribution of the senator.”
Tom Vilsack has served as governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007, and Christie Vilsack last year ran unsuccessfully for the House seat of Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.
