Conlin makes run for U.S. Senate official

DES MOINES – Des Moines lawyer and Democrat Roxanne Conlin officially filed papers today to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Chuck Grassley.

Conlin, 65, is a well-known Democratic activist who was the party's nominee for governor in 1982. That year she became the first woman candidate for governor on a major party ticket.

In a video on her campaign Web site www.roxanneforiowa.com, Conlin rails against career politicians in Washington and the bailout they gave banks and financial companies.

“Taking on the special interests has been the cause of my life. I'm running for U.S. Senate to take this fight to Washington,” Conlin says on the video.

The video highlights Conlin's humble roots, beginning a job as a waitress at the age of 14 and working her way through college and law school.

Conlin highlights her legal career in the appeal to voters, noting that as a federal prosecutor she “took on drug dealers, corrupt politicians and corporations who violated the public trust.”

She said she later started a law firm to give a voice to “everyday people who had none” including fighting banks when farmers were at risk of foreclosure.

“Join me in taking on this fight because the special interests have had their turn,” she said. “Now it's our turn.”

Democrats Bob Krause of Fairfield, a former member of the Iowa House, and former state senator Tom Fiegen of Clarence also have announced their intentions to run for the seat.