Latham had the backing of many establishment leaders. Latham passes on Iowa Senate run

Rep. Tom Latham announced that he will not run for the open Senate seat Wednesday, paving the way for conservative Steve King to be the nominee if he gets into the race.

“The opportunity to serve Iowa in the U.S. Senate is appealing to this farm kid who grew up here, raised a family here, and helped grow a family business in Iowa,” Latham, a Republican, wrote in an email to supporters.


“However, only 56 days ago I took an oath to ‘faithfully discharge the duties’ of an office with which the people of Iowa’s Third Congressional District entrusted to me,” he added. “I cannot in good conscience launch a two-year statewide campaign that will detract from the commitment I made to the people who elected me, at a time when our nation desperately needs less campaigning and more leadership.”

Latham, a close ally of House Speaker John Boehner, had the backing of many establishment leaders. Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, for example, said over the weekend that Latham would be a much stronger candidate.

In an interview, Latham said he “had a commitment to the people in my district. We’ve got an awful lot of work here to do. I don’t want to be distracted for two years [by a costly Senate race].”

Latham, who chairs the transportation subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee, added: “I’ve worked very hard to get where I am in the House.”

Even if King runs, he could still face a challenge from one of several Republicans still interested in the race.

“My guess is there’s going to be a lot of people out there looking for an alternative to King,” said a GOP operative. “I just don’t know who that person is yet.”

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Branstad’s heir apparent, is “very serious about running” with Latham sitting it out, one source told POLITICO.

Other potential candidates buzzed about in the aftermath of Latham’s surprise announcement include state Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and former Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn.

Some establishment types read Latham’s letter as anything but Shermanesque, perhaps embodying wishful thinking that he might still be talked into the race later this year.

American Crossroads President Steven Law faced blowback from the right when he told The New York Times early this month that he was concerned about King’s “Todd Akin problem” and suggested he might be an early target of a new Conservative Victory Project.

Another Republican operative from the Hawkeye State said that King has close to a lock on the nomination if he gets in.

“It doesn’t mean someone won’t try, maybe even from the right,” the operative said. “I don’t really see anyone who has a statewide profile or the ability to raise money.”

King is still weighing his options.

“A potential Senate race remains an analytical decision first and then one that requires deep conviction,” the congressman said in a statement. “Such a decision includes, of course, my family and the best interests of Iowans and Americans. It is too big a decision to be rushed.”

Rep. Bruce Braley, who represents northeastern Iowa, has cleared the field on the Democratic side. Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin said last month that he will not seek a sixth term.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee rejoiced at the news.

“This is yet another potential candidate in a long line of Republicans who have decided not to face down the extremist elements within their own party,” DSCC Executive Director Guy Cecil said in a statement.

Bob Vander Plaats, a prominent social conservative activist, fully expects King to get in now and thinks he will generate significant enthusiasm.

“Most Iowans, at least the Iowans I hang out with, are interested in electing a full-spectrum conservative like King to the U.S. Senate,” he said. “All you’ve got to do is call President Romney to find out what it’s like to have a noninspired grass-roots base.”

John Bresnahan contributed to this report.