Chuck Grassley Refuses to Resign Before Republican Governor Leaves Office

93-Year-Old Grassley Firm: No Early Senate Exit for Iowa

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, 93, does not plan to resign before Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds leaves office, according to his spokesperson, confirming a move that solidifies Republican influence over his potential Senate replacement. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reported Thursday that Grassley, a Republican who has served in the Senate since 1981, intends to complete his current term, which ends in 2028.

The decision is a clear signal about who will wield the power to appoint his successor. If Grassley were to step down while Reynolds, a Republican, is still governor, she would choose his replacement. But if he remains until the term’s end or if a vacancy occurs after Democratic Gov.-elect Rob Sand takes office in January, Sand would make the appointment. As current chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley’s influence is significant, though he will lose that leadership role when Democrats take the majority next year.

WATCH: I asked @RobSandIA (D) how he'd approach a vacancy in the U. S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. @ChuckGrassley (R) if it happened during his term.@iowasnewsnow pic.twitter.com/gpF5VnGnTe

— https://x.com/RayBaccari/status/2097082440879665250

Grassley himself has been blunt about his intentions on the campaign trail. In September, as he rallied voters for GOP gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn, he told Republicans, “I don’t plan on dying in office, but if I did, I don’t want a Democratic governor choosing my successor.” His spokesperson reaffirmed this stance in a statement, emphasizing his commitment to the job: “Senator Grassley is not resigning. He remains committed to delivering for the people of Iowa, who overwhelmingly elected him to a six-year term in 2022.”

A Question of Age and Succession

The senator’s age and health are central to the conversation. He will be 95 years old when his current term concludes in 2028. This reality has prompted Iowans to speculate about what might happen if he were to become unable to serve, raising critical questions about the future of the state’s Senate representation. The political calculus is simple: a Republican-appointed successor would maintain the GOP’s hold on the seat, while a Democratic appointee would mark a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.

Chuck Grassley, 93, says he won't resign despite Iowa's Democratic sweep

Several names have surfaced as potential candidates should a Republican governor get to make the appointment. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, whose time in Washington is ending after an unsuccessful run for the open Senate seat, is frequently mentioned. Another possibility is Pat Grassley, the senator’s grandson and current speaker of the Iowa House. Both are Republicans with established political profiles in the state.

The situation is complicated by the outcome of Tuesday’s election, which dramatically altered Iowa’s political delegation. Beginning in January, there will be only one other Iowa Republican in the state’s Washington delegation—Chris McGowan, who won his race for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. Democrats won the other three U.S. House seats, as well as the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. Grassley will serve alongside Josh Turek, the Council Bluffs Democrat who won the other Senate race.

“I’d be interested in an independent to fill an Iowa U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy happened during my term,” Sand told Iowa News Now in September.

Sand’s preference for an independent appointee adds another layer to the political drama. It suggests that, if he were to gain the power to fill the seat, he might seek to step outside the traditional two-party system, potentially choosing a candidate who is not affiliated with either major party. This approach could be an attempt to depolarize the seat or to appeal to a broader cross-section of Iowa voters.

The Stakes for Iowa and the Nation

The choice of Grassley’s successor carries substantial weight. Beyond the immediate impact on Iowa’s representation in Washington, the Senate Judiciary Committee is a powerful body responsible for confirming federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, and shaping national legislation. Grassley’s long tenure on the committee has made him a key figure in these processes. His eventual replacement, whether appointed by a Republican or a Democratic governor, will inherit this influential role and have a lasting impact on the federal judiciary for years to come.

Chuck Grassley Not Resigning After Rob Sand Wins Iowa, Nov 2026

For Iowa voters, the question of who represents them is not abstract. The senator’s seniority translates into tangible benefits for the state, from federal funding for infrastructure and agriculture to influence over key appointments. The uncertainty surrounding his potential departure and the political battle over his successor creates a period of instability, where the state’s clout in Washington could be in flux. The decision of whether to guarantee a Republican successor by leaving early or to let the voters decide through the next election has become a defining issue for the state’s political future.

The political divide is sharp. Republicans argue that Grassley’s service is too important to risk a Democratic successor and that ensuring a Republican in the seat is paramount to protecting the state’s interests. Democrats counter that the seat is a public trust and that the next election, not a political appointment, should determine its occupant. Grassley’s firm refusal to resign early ensures that this debate will continue, with the political world watching closely to see how this Senate saga will ultimately conclude.