Conlin wins Democratic primary for US Senate

(AP) - Des Moines lawyer Roxanne Conlin won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, setting up a race with five-term Republican Sen. Charles Grassley.

Conlin had 80 percent of the vote, easily outdistancing Tom Fiegen and Bob Krause, both of whom had 10 percent.

"My reaction is one of great humility and gratitude," Conlin said. "I welcome the opportunity to run against Sen. Grassley and test my ideas against his."

Conlin will be in for a tough fight against Grassley, an institution in Iowa politics who has held public office since 1958. Grassley, 76, was first elected to the state Legislature, then served three terms in the U.S. House before winning election to the U.S. Senate in 1980.

He won re-election in 2004 with 70 percent of the vote.

But Conlin has name recognition as a successful lawyer who for decades has been involved in Democratic politics. She is a proven fundraiser who has the personal wealth to contribute to her campaign.

"I think she'd have a running chance," said Jacqueline Fletcher, 59, a high school special-education teacher in Des Moines who voted for Conlin.

Deanna Kibler, a 53-year-old attorney from Des Moines, also voted for Conlin.

"I think very highly of her intelligence," Kibler said. "She, I believe, has the intelligence and the integrity and courage and the vision to lead Iowa."

Conlin had long been considered the favorite in the Senate race over former legislators Fiegen and Krause thanks to name recognition and fundraising ability. She ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1982 and has been involved in Democratic politics for years.

In the most recent disclosures, Conlin reported campaign reserves of nearly $900,000. Records weren't available for Krause and Fiegen, but in the past they have reported having less than $1,000 on hand.

As the election neared, Fiegen tried to raise questions about Conlin's background and competency.

During recent debates, he asked Conlin about tax credits her husband, James, received to develop homes for low- and moderate-income families. Fiegen also expressed doubt about Conlin's claim that she helped farmers facing foreclosures during the 1980s, and he belittled her understanding of agriculture, noting she wasn't familiar with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's grade designations for corn.

Fiegen, 51, of Clarence, works as a bankruptcy lawyer specializing in farms and small businesses. He was in the state Senate from 2001 to 2003.

Conlin, 65, brushed off Fiegen's points, arguing that she's a quick study and could augment her already broad understanding of farming. She was U.S. attorney before running for governor. After losing that race, Conlin built a successful career as a trial lawyer and became the first woman president of the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Krause, 60, of Fairfield, was in the state House in the 1970s. He gave up his seat in 1978 for an unsuccessful run for state treasurer and later worked as a manager for the federal and state transportation departments.

All three candidates supported sending troops to the U.S.-Mexico border but want more comprehensive immigration reform. They support allowing tax cuts backed by former President George W. Bush to expire and favor repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that has forced gays and lesbians in the military to keep their sexual orientation private.

They differed on alternative fuels, with Fiegen opposing subsidies and the others supporting them.