Iowa GOP co-chair considering 2014 U.S. Senate campaign

Add David Fischer to the list of Iowa Republicans thinking about running for the U.S. Senate.

Fischer, who supported Texas Rep. Ron Paul in the Iowa precinct caucuses in 2012 and current  co-chair of the Republican Party of Iowa, said this evening that he's "serious considering" running for the GOP nomination for the seat now held by Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin. Harkin announced that he will retire at the end of his term in 2014.

"Just days ago a new Iowa Poll showed that only 30 percent of Iowans think the country is headed in the right direction, compared to 60 percent  who think we're on the wrong track," Fischer posted on Facebook. "Sadly, I have to agree with the majority. We can do better."

Fischer said Iowans are uneasy about the future and many feel "their children and grandchildren may not enjoy the same opportunities and standard of living that previous generations could take for granted."

Three Republicans are in the race for the party's nomination: former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker, David Young, who until recently was chief of staff to Sen. Chuck Grassley, and Ames attorney Paul Lunde. Others have indicated they are considering the race.

In explaining why he might run, Fischer sounded many of the same themes as Paul as well as his son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who may run for president in 2016.

The federal government, Fischer said, "tries to solve problems caused by too much spending and too much debt with yet more spending and more debt."

"While we're told there's no money for White House tours for school kids, we somehow have money to send weapons into a dangerous conflict in Syria. Americans don't want another war," he said.

Printing money to cover spending reduces the value of money and poses a danger to the economy and national security.

"Our political system is dysfunctional," Fischer said. "Career politicians somehow think government is the solution to our problems, but only by reducing the size and scope of government can we hope to restore America -- to give our children and grandchildren hope for more. More freedom. More genuine prosperity. More peace."

I'm optimistic that with the right remedy, we can get our nation back on track.

With each passing week, Fischer said, there are new reminders of how our federal government has grown beyond its constitutional restraints. He cited reports that the IRS is being used as a political weapon, the government is monitoring emails, text messages and phone calls without probable cause.

First District Rep. Bruce Braley is the only candidate for the Democratic nomination.