Conlin likely to enter Senate race, challenge Grassley

By James Q. Lynch

The Gazette

Roxanne Conlin has cleared up some of the intrigue surrounding rumors of a mystery challenger to Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley's 2010 re-election bid.

Conlin, a Des Moines attorney and longtime Democratic activist, said early Friday she “is likely to enter the senate race against Grassley,” but went on to say in a Facebook posting she has “some final things to do” before formally entering what will be a four-way race for the party's nomination.

Two of her rivals – Bob Krause of Fairfield and Tom Fiegen of Clarence, who she had called Thursday to advise them of her plans, welcome her to the race. Krause called the speculation about Conlin being the mystery candidate promised by Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan as political theater.

“It's easy to play political games in Des Moines that might not play as well around the state,” he said.

A key to defeating Grassley, who has rolled up more than 60 percent of the vote in winning re-election four times, is a candidate who appeals to voters outside Polk County, Iowa State University political scientist Steffen Schmidt said.

“Polk County is a nice place, but you have to have someone who can connect other places,” he said.

The folks in “other places” aren't all that excited about her, Fiegen said late Thursday while driving home from meeting with Winneshiek County Democrats. A Clarence bankruptcy attorney, he said he's logged 7,000 miles in the past month meeting with Iowans. Those discussions included rumors either Conlin or former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack might join the race.

“Frankly, they're not that interested,” he said. While her campaign activity is impressive, “it's yesterday's news to many Democrats. People look at her and say, ‘been there, done that,'” a reference to her failed 1982 bid for governor.

“One analogy I heard is that she's our party's Doug Gross -- rich, intelligent, well-connected, but can't talk to rural Iowans,” Fiegen said. “People say she's already proved that.”

Doug Gross is a Des Moines attorney and longtime adviser to former Gov. Terry Branstad and other Republicans. He was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 2002.

Conlin, however, is making it clear she's interested in running againt Grassley and returning to public service.

In her Facebook posting about 2 a.m. Friday, Conlin promised to be “an independent citizen legislator beholden to no one but the people of Iowa.”

She plans not to take money from political action committees or lobbyists.

“I know I won't be able to … match (Grassley) in money,” she wrote. “I hope to make up for that in energy and enthusiasm and supporters. Please consider being one.”

Conlin, a trial attorney, may not need PAC contributions. She can tap her colleagues, Schmidt said, but that could have drawbacks.

“I mean, if Conlin runs as a trial lawyer and they have all this money from trial lawyers all over the country, is that the way to get elected? Trial lawyers? I don't think they have such a great reputation, do they?” Schmidt said.

Interestingly, earlier in the week Grassley said one difference a well-known candidate like Conlin or Vilsack might make is how much money he would have to raise to be competitive. So far, according to the Federal Election Commission records, Grassley has $4.4 million on hand.

It's assumed that if his opponent is Vilsack or Roxanne Conlin, they will enjoy tremendous financial backing from Democrats nationally as well as campaign appearances by the party's luminaries, including, possibly, President and Michelle Obama.

Asked about the speculation about a mystery candidate, Grassley said they only thing he was sure of was that he would have an opponent.

“I think all I can say is I can only control what I can control,” Grassley said Wednesday.

“Your readers know I'm running hard and I'm prepared to face whoever wins primary,” he said.

He has stepped his Iowa appearances “dramatically” in recent months “because I do have opponents already and you can't take anyone for granted,” he said. “I don't underestimate anyone.”

Conlin's plan won't deter Krause or Fiegen.

“I will remain in the race and I will run a vigorous campaign,” Krause said. He predicted his core constituencies of veterans and those who are fighting for health-care reform will continue to stand with him.

A Des Moines trial attorney who has been active in state and national campaigns, Conlin won a three-way primary to become the first woman candidate for Iowa governor on a major party ticket in 1982. However, she lost to Branstad 53 percent to 47 percent.

Prior to that, Conlin was U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 1977-81.

In 2008, she was co-chair of the caucus campaign of John Edwards, who finished second. According to www.campaignmoney.com <http://www.campaignmoney.com/> , she made 58 contributions totaling $69,338 during the 2008 campaign cycle.

Krause and Fiegen agree Conlin likely will bring more attention to the race. Although Grassley has been re-elected four times, there is speculation he may be vulnerable this year because of his high-profile role in the health-care reform debate. At the same time, some Republicans have been upset that he has been too willing to compromise with Democrats on health-care and other issues.

“When I joined this race, Chuck Grassley was seen as invincible,” Krause said. “Today, there is a new perception, based in great part on our efforts. We have made incredible strides from small beginnings with an admittedly minimal budget – in a true David and Goliath fashion.”

A Research 2000 poll earlier this month found that Grassley would defeat Conlin 51-39 percent, Krause 52-35 percent, Fiegen 54-31 percent and Christie Vilsack 51-40 percent.

Grassley's approval rating, which had been above 70 percent, is now at 55 percent, Research 2000 found.