Iowa House House Speaker-select Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) | legis.iowa.gov
Iowa House House Speaker-select Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) | legis.iowa.gov
The newly selected GOP leader in the Iowa House of Representatives is Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford), 36-year-old grandson of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.
The younger Grassley was chosen Oct. 7 when the 53 Republicans serving in the state House met to select a new speaker. Grassley, a farmer who represents District 50, will be House Speaker-select until his expected election to speaker in January by the full House and the next state legislature convenes.
The elder Grassley, 86, was an Iowa House representative for 16 years before he won his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
| grassley.senate.gov
"There is this conspiracy theory that I have been groomed since the beginning of time to take Chuck Grassley’s seat," the younger Grassley told reporters shortly after his selection as House Speaker-select, adding that the two more often talk "just grandfather and grandson things."
The younger Grassley also told reporters he asked his grandfather not to push for his selection but cited his grandfather’s 99-county tour as an example of how politicians should reach out to constituents.
"I think anyone running for office in Iowa has learned - whether it's presidential candidates, governor or senate - is that you’re out there, you’re available for your constituents and you listen," the younger Grassley said.
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