Rep. Steve King will not run for the open Iowa Senate seat

By Richard K. Barry

I will not run for Senate in 2014. A Senate race takes me out of urgent battles in Congress that can't wait until 2015. Many thanks to all.

— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) May 4, 2013

And with that Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) announced that he would not run for the Senate seat to be left vacant by Tom Harkin's (D-Iowa) decision not to seek re-election. 

There is little doubt that King would have been the man to beat for the GOP nomination, though some in his own party were less sure he could win in the general. Gov. Terry Branstad said as much.

The Washington Post noted that "King is an outspoken and staunchly conservative Republican with a knack for stoking controversy with his remarks," which is something of an understatement. 

Other Republicans who have said they will not run are state Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Former U.S. attorney Matt Whitaker, state Sen. Brad Zaun and Secretary of State Matt Schultz are viewed as possible Republican candidates. None of the three have ruled themselves out.

On the Democratic side, Rep. Bruce Braley has the field to himself, and is the presumptive nominee.

Over the past few month stories have begun to appear about the Republican Party having a difficult time recruiting top flight candidates in key states. 

Well, that could be a problem for them.