Former State Representative Bob Krause announced on Facebook a few minutes ago that he is withdrawing from the Iowa governor’s race after exploring a candidacy for most of 2013. He has endorsed State Senator Jack Hatch in the Democratic primary and plans to “act as a surrogate speaker and policy advisor to the Hatch campaign,” specifically helping with outreach to veterans and labor unions.

Krause also announced that he plans to run against U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley in 2016. He was one of three Democrats who challenged Grassley in 2010 and finished second in the primary with just under 13 percent of the vote. He urged Iowa Democrats “to give me the same clean shot at defeating a sitting incumbent as I am giving Jack Hatch.” I’ve posted excerpts from Krause’s Facebook post after the jump.

Krause has long been an advocate for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma. This weekend he is organizing a workshop in Urbandale on responding to military sexual trauma.  

Excerpt from January 2 Facebook posting by Bob Krause:

While I can see a victory in the June primary, either Jack Hatch or I will be facing the 10 million dollar man in the general election after an excruciating and exhausting primary. Accordingly, our chances of achieving the ultimate goal — taking the governorship for the Democrats – would be substantially diminished. Between now and the primary, our nominee needs to be consolidating and fundraising if the Democrats are to win.

For that reason, I am shifting my focus. I am not leaving the political arena. However, I will not extend my exploratory campaign, nor will I announce for Governor in 2014. And, I urge others not to enter the race at this late date so that our Democratic candidate can plan against Branstad in the fall. Though you and I may have differences with Jack Hatch on nuances of policy, he deserves a clean shot at Branstad, and this will give it to him. I have known Jack to be a great thinker and leader who is committed to our shared progressive values. He will make not only a great standard-bearer for our party but also a great Governor, and for that reason I endorse him today to be Governor of Iowa.

For my many supporters, I will use the great leverage and the many friendships I have gained in the Governor race to challenge the other announced candidate for US Senate in 2016: Charles Grassley. I will open a Senate Committee very soon. This is a full and not a tentative commitment. I urge fellow Democrats to give me the same clean shot at defeating a sitting incumbent as I am giving Jack Hatch.

At the same time, I will act as a surrogate speaker and policy advisor to the Hatch campaign. My focus will be outreach to veterans and unions, as well as any other groups where I can have value to Jack as a speaker.