Analysis: Senate Republicans just got some great 2022 news
That sound you hear is Senate Republicans breathing a major sigh of relief. At 88 years old (his birthday was last Friday), Grassley was regarded by strategists in both parties as a potential retirement in advance of his 2022 reelection.
Grassley has proved to be the most reliable vote-getter in Iowa for the entirety of his four decades in the Senate. Since taking 54% in his first victory, in 1980, Grassley has never dipped below 60% of the vote in his six reelection bids.
In 2016, Democrats touted the candidacy of Patty Judge, but Grassley cruised to a 24-point win.
That’s a big change from what the contest would have looked like if Grassley had retired. While Republicans would still have had an edge — Iowa leans GOP these days — the race would have been seriously fought and expensive for both sides.
The Point: It’s now likely that national Republicans won’t have to spend a dime to reelect Grassley. Which means more money for offensive opportunities for Republicans in states like Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Hampshire.
