Christie Vilsack staying open about challenge to Grassley

DES MOINES - Former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack isn't doing anything to squelch rumors she is the Democratic “mystery candidate” who will challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.

Vilsack spoke of being qualified for the job and having talked to people about the race, but did nothing to rule out running in 2010 during an interview with a Des Moines television reporter last week.

Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Mike Kiernan has promised to recruit a “mystery candidate,” a well-known, top-tier candidate, who will give Grassley the “race of his life.”

Grassley, who plans to seek a sixth term next year, has said he has no idea who the Democratic mystery candidate is, but would take any candidate seriously. Even a third-tier candidate could give him the fight of his life, Grassley said.

Vilsack seemed flattered by the speculation she will jump into the race.

“I'm really honored that people on both sides of the aisle would see me as being a candidate,” Vilsack said while in Iowa with her husband, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who served two terms as governor.

Vilsack, a former teacher and librarian, told WHO-TV reporter Dave Price she is “qualified to run ... qualified to serve.”

Vilsack, who grew up in Mount Pleasant, spoke of spending the past 12 years developing a relationship with the people of Iowa. She said she has no timetable to decide. “As I've said, time will tell,” Vilsack said. “I'm not at that place in the conversations. I'm just thinking about the people of Iowa and the fact they've asked me to think about it. Right now, that's enough.”

There has been speculation that Gov. Chet Culver has delayed announcing his re-election plans to jump into the Senate race in an attempt to avenge Grassley's 1980 defeat of his father, Sen. John Culver.

The race has attracted two Democratic candidates - both former legislators: Tom Fiegen of Clarence and Bob Krause of Fairfield.