2022 United States Senate election in Iowa

The 2022 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Iowa. Incumbent Republican Senator Chuck Grassley defeated Democratic nominee Michael Franken to win re-election to an eighth term.^[1]

2022 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 2016 November 8, 2022 2028 →

Nominee Chuck Grassley Michael Franken Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 681,501 533,330 Percentage 56.01% 43.84%

County results Congressional district results Precinct results Grassley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Franken:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      No votes

U.S. senator before election Chuck Grassley Republican Elected U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Republican

Grassley was first elected in 1980 and was most recently re-elected in 2016. Grassley, who turned 89 years old on September 17, 2022, ran for reelection to an eighth term.^[2] With U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy retiring the same year, he became the second-oldest person ever to be re-elected for another term (behind Strom Thurmond in 1996 at age 93), on January 3, 2023, upon the departure of Patrick Leahy from the United States Senate Chuck Grassley became the most senior member in the Senate, and on January 4, 2023, he became the longest-serving Republican senator in history (overtaking Orrin Hatch), as well as the most senior member of Congress since January 3, 2023.

The Republican Party flipped Iowa's 3rd congressional district in the concurrent House election, thus marking the first time since 1957 that Iowa had an entirely Republican congressional delegation.

Despite his victory, this was Grassley's closest Senate race since he was first elected in 1980 and worst performance as he did not crack 60% of the vote. Franken also beat Grassley in Linn, Story, and Polk counties, all of which Grassley had won in every election since 1986. In addition, this election was the first time that Grassley lost Black Hawk County. This election also saw the Class III seat's worst performance by a Republican since 1962, and best performance by a Democrat since 1980.

Republican primary

State Senator Jim Carlin challenged Grassley in the primary.

Candidates

Nominee

• Chuck Grassley, incumbent U.S. Senator (1981–present) and president pro tempore emeritus^[2]

Eliminated in primary

• Jim Carlin, state senator from the 3rd district (2017–2023)^[3]

Declined

• Ashley Hinson, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district (2021–2023) (ran for re-election; endorsed Grassley)^[4][5]
• Matthew Whitaker, former acting U.S. Attorney General, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014^[6] (endorsed Grassley)^[7]

Fundraising

Candidate	Total receipts	Coverage ending
Chuck Grassley	$6,881,288	Coverage ending: May 18, 2022[8]
Jim Carlin	$508,308	Coverage ending: May 18, 2022[8]

Results

Results by county

  Grassley

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%

Republican primary results^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chuck Grassley (incumbent)	143,634	73.34%
	Republican	Jim Carlin	51,891	26.50%
	Write-in		312	0.16%
Total votes			195,837	100.0%

Democratic primary

Former U.S. Representative Abby Finkenauer finished second in the primary.

Candidates

Nominee

• Michael Franken, retired U.S. Navy Admiral, former aide to U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020^{[6][10][11][12]}

Eliminated in primary

• Abby Finkenauer, former U.S. Representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district (2019–2021)^[13]
• Glenn Hurst, Minden city councilor and chair of the Iowa Democratic Party Rural Caucus^[14]

Withdrew

• Bob Krause, former state representative^[15][16] (endorsed Franken)^[17]
• Dave Muhlbauer, former Crawford County supervisor (2017–2021)^[18][19] (endorsed Franken)^[20]

Declined

• Cindy Axne, U.S. representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2019–2023) (ran for re-election; endorsed Finkenauer)^[21]
• Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor (2019–present)^[22][23] (ran for reelection)
• J. D. Scholten, former paralegal, former professional baseball player and nominee for Iowa's 4th congressional district in 2018 and 2020^[24] (ran for state house)

Campaign

Former U.S. Representative Abby Finkenauer was the original frontrunner in the Democratic primary, with her campaign being backed by several prominent politicians and labor unions, as well as the influential political action committee EMILY's List.^[25] However, in an upset, retired vice-admiral Michael Franken managed to slowly overtake her as the perceived frontrunner, assisted by an effective campaign that highlighted his leadership credentials.^[25]

Fundraising

Candidate	Total receipts	Coverage ending
Abby Finkenauer	$3,740,881	Coverage ending: May 18, 2022[8]
Michael Franken	$2,863,882	Coverage ending: May 18, 2022[8]
Glenn Hurst	$129,618	Coverage ending: May 18, 2022[8]

Endorsements

Abby Finkenauer

U.S. Representatives

• Cindy Axne, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2019–2023)^[21]
• Dave Loebsack, former U.S. Representative for Iowa's 2nd congressional district (2007–2021)^[26]

State official

• Michael Fitzgerald, Treasurer of Iowa (1983–2023)^[27]

State legislators

• Janet Petersen, state senator^[28]

Labor unions

• American Federation of Government Employees^[29]
• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers^[30]
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters^[31]
• Iowa Professional Fire Fighters Association^[32]
• United Steelworkers^[33]

Organizations

• EMILY's List^[34]
• Feminist Majority PAC^[35]
• Giffords^[36]
• League of Conservation Voters^[37]

Glenn Hurst

Organizations

• Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement^[38]

Individuals

• Marianne Williamson, author and candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2020^[39]

Polling

Graphical summary

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Abby Finkenauer	Michael Franken	Glenn Hurst	Undecided
Change Research (D)[40][A]	May 4–8, 2022	866 (LV)	± 4.0%	40%	42%	4%	14%
Change Research (D)[40][A]	April 6–11, 2022	416 (LV)	± 6.3%	53%	26%	7%	14%
GBAO (D)[41][B]	March 30 – April 3, 2022	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	64%	15%	6%	15%

Results

Results by county

  Franken

•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

  Finkenauer

•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%

Democratic primary results^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Michael Franken	86,527	55.17%
	Democratic	Abby Finkenauer	62,581	39.90%
	Democratic	Glenn Hurst	7,571	4.83%
	Write-in		158	0.10%
Total votes			156,837	100.0%

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[42]	Solid R	November 7, 2022
Inside Elections[43]	Solid R	August 25, 2022
Sabato's Crystal Ball[44]	Safe R	August 31, 2022
Politico[45]	Likely R	October 18, 2022
RCP[46]	Likely R	October 15, 2022
Fox News[47]	Likely R	August 22, 2022
DDHQ[48]	Solid R	July 20, 2022
538[49]	Solid R	September 6, 2022
The Economist[50]	Safe R	September 7, 2022

Debates

2022 United States Senate general election in Iowa debates

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Republican	Democratic
P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
					Chuck Grassley	Michael Franken
1	October 6, 2022	Iowa PBS	O. Kay Henderson	[51]	P	P

Endorsements

Chuck Grassley (R)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Max Baucus, former U.S. Ambassador to China and former U.S. Senator from Montana (Democrat)^[52]
• Terry Branstad, former U.S. Ambassador to China and former governor of Iowa^[18]
• Bill Northey, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation and former Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa^[18]
• Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States (2017–2021) and former governor of Indiana^[53]
• Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State (2018–2021)^[54]
• Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)^[55]
• Matthew Whitaker, former acting United States Attorney General^[18]

U.S. Senators

• Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator from Tennessee (2019–present)^[56]
• Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas (2013–present)^[57]
• Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa (2015–present)^[5]
• Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (2013–present)^[58]

U.S. Representatives

• Randy Feenstra, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 4th congressional district (2021–present)^[5]
• Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S. Representative from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district (2013–2021) and former Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (2013–2016)^[59](Independent)
• Ashley Hinson, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district (2021–2023)^[5]
• Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 2nd congressional district (2021–2023)^[60]
• Elise Stefanik, Chair of the House Republican Conference (2021–present) and U.S. Representative for New York's 21st congressional district (2015–present)^[61]
• David Young, U.S. Representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2015–2019)^[62]

State officials

• Adam Gregg, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2017–present)^[62]
• Evan Hultman, Attorney General of Iowa (1961–1965)^[63]
• Mike Naig, Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa (2018–present)^[62]
• Paul Pate, Secretary of State of Iowa (2015–present, 1995–1999)^[62]
• Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa (2017–present)^[62]

State legislators

• Robert Bacon, State Representative for the 48th district (2013–present)^[62]
• Michael Bergan, State Representative for the 55th district (2017–present)^[62]
• Brian Best, State Representative for the 12th district (2015–present)^[62]
• Jane Bloomingdale, State Representative for the 51st district (2017–present)^[62]
• Jacob Bossman, State Representative for the 6th district (2018–present)^[62]
• Mike Bousselot, State Representative for the 37th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Steve Bradley, State Representative for the 58th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Holly Brink, State Representative for the 80th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Dennis Bush, State Representative for the 3rd district (2021–present)^[62]
• Dave Deyoe, State Representative for the 49th district (2013–present) and the 10th district (2007–2013)^[62]
• Cecil Dolecheck, State Representative for the 24th district (2013–present), the 96th district (2003–2013) and the 88th district (1997–2003)^[62]
• Jon Dunwell, State Representative for the 29th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Dean Fisher, State Representative for the 72nd district (2013–present)^[62]
• Joel Fry, State Representative for the 11th district (2013–present) and the 52nd district (2011–2013)^[62]
• Thomas Gerhold, State Representative for the 75th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Garrett Gobble, State Representative for the 38th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Martin Graber, State Representative for the 84th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Pat Grassley, Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives (2020–present) and state representative for the 50th district (2013–present) the 17th district (2007–2013)^[5] (Chuck Grassley's grandson)^[62][64]
• Stan Gustafson, State Representative for the 25th district (2014–present)^[62]
• Lee Hein, State Representative for the 96th district (2011–present)^[62]
• Dustin Hite, State Representative for the 79th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Steven Holt, State Representative for the 18th district (2015–present)^[62]
• Chad Ingels, State Representative for the 64th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Thomas Jeneary, State Representative for the 5th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Megan Jones, State Representative for the 2nd district (2013–present)^[62]
• Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative for the 73rd district (2017–present)^[62]
• David Kerr, State Representative for the 88th district (2017–present)^[62]
• Jarad Klein, State Representative for the 78th district (2013–present) and the 89th district (2011–2013)^[62]
• Shannon Latham, State Representative for the 54th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Brian Lohse, State Representative for the 30th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Shannon Lundgren, State Representative for the 57th district (2019–present)^[62]
• David Maxwell, State Representative for the 76th district (2013–present)^[62]
• Charlie McClintock, State Representative for the 95th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Ann Meyer, State Representative for the 9th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Joe Mitchell, State Representative for the 84th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Gary Mohr, State Representative for the 94th district (2017–present)^[62]
• Norlin Mommsen, State Representative for the 97th district (2015–present)^[62]
• Thomas Moore, State Representative for the 21st district (2015–present)^[62]
• Carter Nordman, State Representative for the 19th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Ross Paustian, State Representative for the 92nd district (2015–present) and the 84th district (2011–2013)^[62]
• Mike Sexton, State Representative for the 10th district (2015–present)^[62]
• Brent Siegrist, State Representative for the 16th district (2021–present), the 84th district (1993–2003) and the 99th district (1985–1993) and Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives (1999–2003)^[62]
• Ray Sorensen, State Representative for the 20th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Henry Stone, State Representative for the 7th district (2021–present)^[62]
• Phil Thompson, State Representative for the 47th district (2019–present)^[62]
• Jon Thorup, State Representative for the 28th district (2019–present)^[62]
• John Wills, Speaker pro tempore of the Iowa House of Representatives (2020–present) and State Representative for the 1st district (2015–present)^[62]
• Matt Windschitl, Majority Leader of the Iowa House of Representatives (2020–present), State Representative for the 17th district (2015–present) and Speaker pro tempore of the Iowa House of Representatives (2014–2020) ^[62]
• Gary Worthan, State Representative for the 11th district (2013–present) and the 52nd district (2007–2013)^[62]

Individuals

• Bob Vander Plaats, political activist^[65]

Newspapers

• Telegraph Herald^[66]

Organization

• American Israel Public Affairs Committee^[67]
• BIPAC^[68]
• Campaign for Working Families^[69]
• Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions^[70]
• Home School Legal Defense Association^[71]
• Huck PAC^[72]
• National Federation of Independent Business^[73]
• National Republican Senatorial Committee^[5]
• National Rifle Association - Political Victory Fund^[74][75]
• National Right to Life Committee^[76]
• Pro-Israel America^[77]
• Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America^[78]
• Tea Party Express^[79]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[80]

Michael Franken (D)

U.S. Senators

• Doug Jones, former U.S. Senator from Alabama (2018–2021)^[81]

U.S. Representatives

• Jim Leach, former U.S. Representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district (1977–2007)^[82]
• Dave Nagle, former U.S. Representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district (1987–1993) ^[83]

State officials

• Bonnie Campbell, former attorney general of Iowa (1991–1995) and Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (1995–2001)^[84]
• Patty Judge, former lieutenant governor of Iowa (2007–2011) Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa (1999–2007) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016^[85]

State legislators

• Daryl Beall, former state representative^[86]
• Timi Brown-Powers, state representative^[87]
• Thomas G. Courtney, former state representative^[87]
• Bill Dotzler, Assistant Minority Leader of the Iowa Senate^[86]
• John Forbes, state representative^[18]
• Steve Hansen, state representative^[87]
• David Jacoby, state representative^[87]
• Tim Kacena, former state representative^[86]
• Anesa Kajtazović, former state representative^[87]
• Kevin Kinney, state senator^[87]
• Bob Krause, former state representative^[17]
• Bob Kressig, state representative^[18]
• Jean Hall Lloyd-Jones, former state senator^[87]
• Mary Mascher, state representative^[86]
• Andy McKean, former state representative^[86]
• Brian Meyer, state representative^[86]
• Amy Nielsen, state representative^[86]
• Scott Ourth, former state representative^[87]
• Herman Quirmbach, state senator^[87]
• Jackie Smith, state senator^[87]
• Art Staed, state representative^[18]
• Sharon Steckman, state representative^[87]
• Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, state representative^[86]
• Dave Williams, state representative^[86]
• Philip Wise, former state representative^[87]

Local officials

• Joel Miller, Linn County auditor and Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of Iowa in 2022^[87]
• Bob Scott, Mayor of Sioux City (2012–present, 1990–1998)^[87]
• Tony Thompson, sheriff of Black Hawk County^[87]

Labor unions

• Laborers' International Union of North America^[88]
• National Education Association^[89]

Newspaper and other media

• The Gazette^[90]
• Iowa City Press-Citizen^[91]
• KXRA (AM)^[92]
• Sioux City Journal^[93]
• Storm Lake Times^[94]

Organizations

• 314 Action^[95]
• Brady Campaign^[87]
• End Citizens United^[96]
• Iowa Unity Coalition^[87]
• Jewish Dems^[87]
• League of Conservation Voters^[97]
• Let America Vote^[96]
• Sierra Club^[98]
• The Steady State^[87]
• VoteVets.org^[99]

Individuals

• Alexander Vindman, retired Lieutenant Colonel and witness during the first impeachment trial of Donald Trump^[38]

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll aggregation	Dates administered	Dates updated	Chuck Grassley (R)	Michael Franken (D)	Undecided [b]	Margin
FiveThirtyEight[100]	October 2 – November 8, 2022	November 8, 2022	51.8%	42.2%	6.0%	Grassley +9.6
270towin[101]	October 26 – November 5, 2022	November 8, 2022	53.0%	42.7%	4.3%	Grassley +10.3
Average			52.4%	42.5%	5.1%	Grassley +9.9

Graphical summary

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Chuck Grassley (R)	Michael Franken (D)	Other	Undecided
Selzer & Co.[102]	October 31 – November 3, 2022	801 (LV)	± 3.5%	53%	41%	4%[c]	2%
Cygnal (R)[103][C]	October 26–27, 2022	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	54%	43%	–	3%
Civiqs[104]	October 22–25, 2022	623 (LV)	± 5.2%	52%	44%	3%[d]	2%
The Tarrance Group (R)[105][D]	October 15–19, 2022	600 (LV)	± 4.1%	53%	42%	–	4%
Change Research (D)[106][A]	October 14–18, 2022	1,008 (LV)	± 3.3%	48%	45%	–	6%
Selzer & Co.[107]	October 9–12, 2022	620 (LV)	± 3.9%	46%	43%	8%[e]	3%
Emerson College[108]	October 2–4, 2022	959 (LV)	± 3.1%	49%	38%	4%	9%
Cygnal (R)[109][C]	October 2–4, 2022	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	54%	40%	–	6%
Change Research (D)[110][A]	September 3–8, 2022	1,143 (LV)	± 3.0%	48%	44%	–	8%
Cygnal (R)[111][C]	July 13–14, 2022	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	52%	43%	–	5%
Selzer & Co.[112]	July 10–13, 2022	597 (LV)	± 4.0%	47%	39%	7%	5%
Change Research (D)[113][A]	June 30 – July 4, 2022	1,488 (LV)	± 2.7%	49%	44%	–	7%
Change Research (D)[114][A]	April 6–11, 2022	1,070 (LV)	± 4.0%	45%	42%	–	13%

Hypothetical polling

Chuck Grassley vs. Abby Finkenauer

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Chuck Grassley (R)	Abby Finkenauer (D)	Other	Undecided
Moore Information Group (R)[115]	March 8–13, 2022	400 (LV)	± 5.0%	45%	36%	6%	14%
Cygnal (R)[116][C]	February 20–22, 2022	610 (LV)	± 3.9%	53%	39%	–	8%
Data for Progress (D)[117]	December 2–13, 2021	770 (LV)	± 4.0%	53%	39%	–	8%
Cygnal (R)[118][C]	October 18–19, 2021	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	55%	39%	–	6%
Selzer & Co.[119]	September 12–15, 2021	620 (LV)	± 3.9%	55%	37%	1%[f]	7%

Results

2022 United States Senate election in Iowa

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chuck Grassley (incumbent)	681,501	56.01%	−4.08%
	Democratic	Michael Franken	533,330	43.84%	+8.18%
	Write-in		1,815	0.15%	+0.04%
Total votes			1,216,646	100.00%	N/A
	Republican hold

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Black Hawk (largest city: Waterloo)
• Linn (largest city: Cedar Rapids)
• Polk (largest city: Des Moines)
• Story (largest city: Ames)

By congressional district

Grassley won all four congressional districts.^[120]

District	Grassley	Franken	Representative
1st	53%	47%	Mariannette Miller-Meeks
2nd	55%	45%	Ashley Hinson
3rd	51%	48%	Cindy Axne (117th Congress)
			Zach Nunn (118th Congress)
4th	66%	34%	Randy Feenstra

See also

• 2022 United States Senate elections
• 2022 Iowa elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
3. "Someone else" with 3%; "Don't want to tell" with 1%
4. "Someone else" with 3%
5. "Someone else" with 4%; "Would not vote" with 4%
6. "Would not vote" (volunteered answer) with 1%

Partisan clients

1. This poll was sponsored by Franken's campaign
2. This poll was sponsored by Finkenauer's campaign
3. This poll was sponsored by the Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
4. Poll conducted for the NRSC.