Gronstal not running for governor
not sure how I feel about that - keeping the senate blue is a major issue next election also.
http://www.bleedingheartland.com/diary/6381/iagov-mike-gronstal-not-running
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal announced tonight that he will not run for governor in 2014. Gubernatorial candidate Bob Krause tweeted that Gronstal told the audience at the Pottawattamie County annual Democratic fundraiser that his Senate seat is needed to maintain the Democrats' 26-24 Senate majority. IA-03 Congressional candidate Gabriel De La Cerda also reported Gronstal's announcement. Gronstal has represented the Council Bluffs area in the Iowa Senate for many years and was just re-elected to another four-year term in 2012. Since he's not up for re-election in 2014, he could have run for governor without giving up his seat. However, if he became governor a special election would be called in Senate district 8. Republicans hold both of the Iowa House seats in that district.
I am not surprised by Gronstal's decision. I was more surprised when he said he was seriously considering the race. While I agree he could be a good governor, and other Democrats could be excellent Senate majority leaders, I would be concerned about finding another Democrat who could hold down the Council Bluffs Senate seat.
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