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Iowa Senate 2010

Crystal Ball Outlook: Safe R

Democratic candidates: Roxanne Conlin, former U.S. attorney

Republican candidates: Charles Grassley, incumbent senator

Recent updates from the Crystal Ball

Update: February 26, 2009

Charles Grassley (R-IA): Democrats are on the upswing and ever-stronger in the Hawkeye State, and that raises warning flags for the venerable senior senator who will be seeking his sixth term. Former Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA) would have been the logical opponent but his selection as Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture removes him from the table. There are plenty of other Democratic officials, statewide and district, who could challenge Grassley. Still, the eventual nominee will have a steep uphill climb. This is a politician who has consistently and easily won, and he fights hard for his state’s farming interests. Grassley also has something of a populist streak, which appeals to Independents. We’ll obviously revisit this race once we have a clearer picture of the field, but for now it is a REPUBLICAN HOLD.