Grassley files for seventh U.S. Senate term

DES MOINES - Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has filed his nomination papers for a seventh term.

Grassley qualified for the June 7 Republican primary Friday by submitting more than 20,475 signatures from Iowans who support his re-election to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office.

'The extraordinary number of signatures reflects Iowans' recognition that Chuck Grassley works hard on the issues that are important to them,” campaign spokesman Eric Woolson said.

Candidates are required to secure signatures equal to 0.5 percent of the total votes received by their party's candidate in the previous gubernatorial contest. In addition, they must secure signatures equal to at least 1 percent of the votes cast for their party's gubernatorial candidate in at least 10 counties.

Due to Gov. Terry Branstad's sweeping 2014 victory, Grassley was required to collect at least 3,331 signatures statewide while Democratic candidates are only required to gather 2,104 signatures.

Grassley presented 20,476 signatures representing all 99 Iowa counties to Secretary of State Paul Pate Friday morning.

Grassley doesn't have a primary opponent. Two candidates, State Sen. Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids and Clarence attorney Tom Fiegen have filed to run in the Democratic primary. Former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and former lawmaker Bob Krause also plan to seek the Democratic nomination.