Democratic State Senator Steve Sodders announced on Facebook a few minutes ago that he will not run for the U.S. House in Iowa’s first Congressional district next year. His press release is after the jump. Sodders was just re-elected in 2012 to a second four-year term in the Iowa Senate, where he is also is president pro-tem and chairs the Economic Growth Committee. He announced earlier this month that he was considering running for the seat Representative Bruce Braley is vacating to run for U.S. Senate.

So far State Representative Pat Murphy, a former Iowa House speaker who represents part of Dubuque, is the only Democratic candidate in IA-01. Two Republicans have announced their candidacies: Cedar Rapids-based business owner Steve Rathje and Dubuque-based business owner Rod Blum. Any comments about the race are welcome in this thread.

For Immediate release: 31 March 2013

Sodders: I will not run for Congress in 2014

State Senator Steve Sodders of State Center today announced that he will not be running for the U.S. Congress in 2014:

Sodders released this statement to supporters and the news media:

“I want to thank all my family members, neighbors, friends and other Iowans who have reached out to me with their encouragement to enter the race for Iowa’s open U.S. House seat in District 1.

“Despite this encouragement and the appeal of serving more Iowans in the U.S. Congress, I and my family have decided that I will not run for the U.S. House in 2014.”

“I love being a citizen-legislator in Iowa, working as a Deputy Sheriff in Marshall County, and serving as a State Senator to my constituents in Marshall, Tama and Black Hawk counties. I have also been entrusted by my Senate colleagues to serve in the leadership position of Senate President Pro Tempore.”

“I am proud of our bipartisan efforts in the Iowa Legislature to grow Iowa’s middle class by improving the quality of our schools, by expanding access to affordable health care for all Iowans, and by increasing job opportunities in every county in our state. I more motivated than ever to ensure that the dream of a larger middle class in Iowa becomes a reality.”

“I ask for your continued support as we work together for this great state.”

– End –