Paulsen says he'll pass on running for U.S. House seat

Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen plans to run for re-election in his Linn County district rather than run for the open U.S. House 1

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District seat in 2014.

Paulsen, first elected in 2002, had been actively exploring a congressional campaign since the end of the 2013 legislative session. Despite what he called overwhelming encouragement, Paulsen said he didn't feel “called” to serve in the U.S. House.

“When I started this, I said I had to feel a challenge or a calling,” Paulsen said Wednesday afternoon. “The challenge I feel continues to be in the Iowa House.”

In an email to the 52 other members of the House GOP caucus, Paulsen said leading them “as we move to make Iowa the best place possible to work, play, and raise a family” was a major factor in his decision to seek re-election in House 67.

“I won't bore you with all the different aspects of this decision, but I do want you all to know that the caucus was one of the critical pieces I had to process,” Paulsen wrote. “I enjoy leading you, we're a great team and we have had significant accomplishments. I believe there are more in our future and I want to be part of that.”

Two Republicans – Steve Rathje of Cedar Rapids and Rod Blum of Dubuque – are seeking the GOP nomination in the race to succeed Rep. Bruce Braley, a Waterloo Democrat who is running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. Tom Harkin.

Although Democrats outnumber Republicans in the 20-county district that includes Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls-Waterloo and Dubuque, Paulsen believes a GOP candidate can win.

“I expect to have a Republican congressman,” he said.

Five Democrats are seeking their party's nomination: former legislator and Iowa Utilities Board member Swati Dandekar of Marion, business owner and City Councilwoman Monica Vernon and attorney Dave O'Brien, both of Cedar Rapids, Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic of Waterloo and Rep. Pat Murphy of Dubuque.