Sen. Chuck Grassley, 93, the oldest sitting member of Congress, will not resign from the Senate, according to a spokesperson for the Iowa Republican. The statement comes after Democrats secured a significant victory in the state's gubernatorial election, with Democrat Rob Sand defeating Republican Zach Lahn. Sand's win means a Democratic governor will now be in office, a scenario Grassley had previously expressed concern about.
Grassley, first elected to the Senate in 1980, has indicated he does not plan to die in office. In September, he voiced concerns about a Democratic governor potentially appointing his successor if he were to pass away before the end of his term. He had stated in October that he would wait until 2027 to decide on running for a ninth term, focusing his efforts on supporting fellow Republicans in the current election cycle.
The recent midterm elections have been widely interpreted as a rebuke of former President Trump, with Democrats securing a notable advantage in the U.S. Senate. The New Republic commented on Grassley's age and situation, suggesting that a 93-year-old should be focused on personal life rather than political considerations, especially given the new political landscape in Iowa.