Lange won’t challenge Loebsack in Iowa 2nd

Ben Lange, the northeast Iowa lawyer who narrowly lost to Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, last year, said Monday he won't seek the 2nd Congressional District seat in the 2012 election.

Lange, who lives in Independence, had considered moving into the 2nd District.

“The people of the Quad-Cities have been great to me. Just a great group of people. It would be just too hard on my family,” Lange said on Monday. Lange and his wife have three small children.

The once-per-decade redistricting has juggled Iowa's political lineup, putting Scott and Clinton counties in the newly created 2nd District for the 2012 election.

Braley, who currently represents the Quad-Cities, plans to run again in the 1st District, while Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, will run again the 2nd District.

Loebsack just held his first major political event over the weekend in Bettendorf.

Lange didn't say whether he would launch another campaign against Braley in the 1st District.

“I'm still looking at the options,” he said.

His decision, however, probably will make it easier for other Republicans to seek the nomination in the 2nd District.

The filing period for the  June 5, 2012, primary is still several months away, although candidates typically get started earlier lining up supporters and donors.