U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who turned 85 years old in September, acknowledged Wednesday the possibility his health could fail in the next few years and a Democratic Iowa governor would appoint a Democrat to succeed him in the Senate.

Grassley, a New Hartford Republican who easily won re-election in 2016, said he is "very, very healthy." But he urged a crowd of about 175 people at the Westside Conservative Club in Urbandale to recognize he will be in his late 80s as his six-year term progresses.

He asked the audience, which was dominated by Republicans, to look at the Nov. 6 election from the perspective that if Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds loses, she will be replaced by Democrat Fred Hubbell.

"Something could happen to me in the next four years. I don’t want a Democrat appointing my successor who would then be a Democrat, not a Republican. Keep that in mind when you work for Kim Reynolds," Grassley said.

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An Iowa Poll conducted in September showed Hubbell with a narrow lead in the governor's race, and political analysts have rated the contest as a toss-up.

The senator praised Reynolds for her support of education, her work to develop a skilled Iowa workforce, and her efforts to reduce taxes and maintain a balanced state budget. He also noted her work to lobby the White House in support of Iowa's ethanol industry and her initiatives to build international trade ties.

Grassley also strongly endorsed U.S. Rep. David Young, R-Van Meter, who is locked in a tight race for re-election with Democrat Cindy Axne of West Des Moines. He said that if Democrats win a majority in the House they will block President Donald Trump's policy agenda and could move to impeach him.

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Grassley, who was first elected to the Senate in 1980 and now chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he doesn't want anyone asking him now if he intends to run for re-election. He plans to wait until about a year before the next election.

"If I am healthy who knows what I might do," the senator remarked, adding, "My wife will have something to say about it."

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