I’m sad to learn that Iowa Senator Tom Harkin will not seek reelection in 2014. He is one of my favorite members of Congress and an all around decent person. He will be missed. The Democrats have several excellent options to run for the seat, so I am not overly concerned about that.
I did quickly check what Harkin’s retirement will mean for the Senate in terms of committee chairs, and I have happy news. Despite being in only the first year of his second term, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has gained enough seniority to be in line to replace Harkin as the chairman (or ranking member) of the Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) Committee. This is the happy result of Sen. Barbara Mikulski taking over the chair of Appropriations (in the wake of Sen. Inouye’s death) and Sen. Patty Murray taking over the Budget chair (in the wake of Sen. Conrad’s retirement). Neither of them are likely to give up those powerful chairs to lead the HELP Committee, so it will probably be Sanders’ for the taking. Harkin’s retirement also puts Sen. Sherrod Brown in place to take over the Agriculture Committee should Sen. Stabenow leave the Senate for any reason.
So, even though Harkin’s retirement will be a heavy blow for progressives, we are good position to maintain progressive power in the areas where Harkin is currently representing us so well. And we can definitely keep his seat with Braley, Loebsack, or either Vilsack.