Will Chuck Grassley’s age hurt his reelection chances? Most likely Iowa voters have concerns

On Chuck Grassley’s birthday last month, his Democratic Senate opponent shared what could have been mistaken for a benign, celebratory tweet.  

“Happy birthday, Senator Grassley!” Mike Franken wrote alongside a photo of a small cake with dozens of blazing candles crammed haphazardly onto its small surface.  

The subtext was clear: Chuck Grassley is old.

At 89, Grassley is already one of the oldest people ever to serve in the halls of Congress, and this year the Republican is seeking another six-year term in the U.S. Senate — a term that, if completed, would make him the second-oldest member of Congress ever at 95.  

Election forecasters for months have rated the race solidly in Grassley’s favor. But a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows the race has tightened to 3 percentage points.

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And with less than a month to Election Day, most likely voters say they’re concerned about Grassley’s age. According to the poll, 60% say the senator's age is a concern, including 86% of Democrats, 64% of independents and 37% of Republicans.  

Grassley has been a U.S. senator for 42 years and has served 64 years in state and federal office. But only about a third of likely voters — 34% — say Grassley’s longevity is an asset.

Gordon “Cliff” Christensen, a 66-year-old political independent from Des Moines who intends to vote for Grassley this fall, said he likes the senator’s conservative positions and called him “sharp as a tack.”

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“I think if I had a downside with him, and it’s kind of a small one at this point, it would be his age,” said Christensen. “He’s not the youngest chicken in the yard right now.” 

Grassley’s campaign has pushed back against the idea he’s too old to do the job — airing television ads showing the senator on his morning runs, traveling all of Iowa’s 99 counties and competing in push-up contests. 

He has repeatedly argued that his many years in office give him clout in the Senate, helping him to deliver on key issues for Iowans.  

Asked by reporters at a recent event in Ankeny whether he has any concerns about being able to complete another six-year term, Grassley said, “Absolutely not.” 

“I hope that just how I conduct myself daily ought to convince people that I not only have the ability, but I will do it,” he said. “And, unless God intervenes, I’m going to be in the Senate six years.”

Most demographic groups have concerns about Chuck Grassley’s age, Iowa Poll shows. 

Although Grassley has tried to assuage any worries, likely voters say by a nearly 2-to-1 margin that his age is more of a concern than an asset to Iowa. And those concerns span most demographic groups tested by the Iowa Poll: 

• Majorities of every age group say Grassley’s age is a concern, including 65% of those younger than 35, 62% of those ages 35 to 54, and 56% of those older than 54.  
• Majorities of both men (55%) and women (65%) have concerns.  
• And the majority of those living in suburbs (70%), cities (64%), towns (57%) and rural areas (54%) are concerned.  
• Only Republicans and evangelicals are more likely than not to say Grassley’s longevity is an asset.  
• Among Republicans, it’s 58%, and among evangelicals, it’s 49%. 

Selzer & Co. conducted the poll Oct. 9-12, surveying 804 Iowa adults, including 620 likely voters. Questions based on the sample of likely voters have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. 

Jason Morgan, a 52-year-old independent from Newton, said he plans to vote for Franken in the U.S. Senate election.

“I personally consider and think that Chuck Grassley’s too old to be in office at this point,” said Morgan, who works for a tool company. “I think there should be an age restriction on running for office.” 

He said he would set that restriction at 70 or 72 years old. 

Morgan said he has voted for Grassley in the past, but he said Grassley’s age plays a part in his decision this year.

“When you’re turning 90 and you’re still in office — I mean great for him that he’s in that kind of shape and mental health at the moment, but you don’t know what could happen,” he said. 

Jessica Taylor, the Senate and governors editor for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said although Grassley’s age is on the minds of Iowans, many may choose to vote for him anyway.

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“I don’t think (age) matters as much as party, ultimately,” she said. “Will they have reservations? Certainly. You see people talking about (Democratic President Joe) Biden's age, and Grassley is a whole decade older.”

Among the poll respondents who say they plan to vote for Grassley, 33% say they harbor concerns about his age. Another 63% say his longevity is an asset, and 4% are not sure.  

Nathan Fitzgerald, a 45-year-old Spencer resident who works as a parks and streets superintendent, is among those who say they plan to vote for Grassley despite concerns about his age. 

“Chuck has done a lot for our agricultural community here in the state of Iowa,” said Fitzgerald, a Republican. “Agriculture basically runs our economy here. And if we have a strong agricultural economy, Iowa does well. So that's why I like Chuck. I know he's old. He's older than dirt, seems like.” 

Attacks on longevity are nothing new, but run the risk of ageism

Attacking an opponent’s longevity is a time-honored tradition in politics. 

In 1994, Republican Greg Ganske defeated 18-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Neal Smith. Ganske bought a 1958 DeSoto — a car from the year Smith was first elected to Congress — and drove the “Nealmobile” around the district with a sign that said, “WHY is it still running?” 

The idea was first suggested to Ganske by then-Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. 

Franken has used similar tactics against Grassley, who began his political career the same year as Smith. 

“Chuck Grassley has opposed the right to an abortion since he was first elected — before color TV,” says the narrator in one of Franken’s ads, showcasing clips of Grassley from his early years in the Iowa Legislature followed by disco dancers in ’70s attire. “He’s supported abortion bans since the ’70s. And probably hated disco. Then he spent five decades plotting to overturn Roe. Don’t let him ban abortion next.” 

Another shows an image of Grassley when he first took office in 1959 before quickly flipping through photos to show him aging into the present day.  

Taylor, the analyst with Cook Political Report, said younger challengers run the risk of alienating voters with rhetoric that can be seen as ageist. 

“That's a really tricky subject,” she said. “Certainly it could turn off older voters, which are more reliable, obviously, during midterm elections.”

Grassley argues seniority gives him ‘clout’ 

Grassley’s campaign has pushed back on the idea he’s too old to do the job with subtle ads of their own. 

One of Grassley’s recent ads features video of Grassley competing in a push-up contest and going on one of his morning runs, sun shining through the clouds behind him. 

“Chuck Grassley is a farmer, push-up pro, runner, husband, father and champion for Iowa,” the narrator intones. 

The ad emphasizes Grassley’s seniority in Congress, arguing he’s able to deliver for Iowans.

“If reelected, Chuck Grassley will have the most seniority in the entire Senate,” the ad’s narrator states. “That’s priceless for Iowa. It’s easier to fight the rising cost of living when you have clout.” 

Grassley has delivered the same argument himself. 

“If I'm re-elected to the United States Senate, I will be No. 1 in the United States Senate,” Grassley said in an Oct. 6 debate. “Iowa will be No. 1 on my agenda whether you're Republican, Democrat or independent. And my opponent will be No. 100.”

Taylor, the analyst with Cook Political Report, said it’s difficult for Democrats to argue that Grassley’s influence has declined with age.  

“He's someone that I think is still such a major player within the Republican conference, and especially if Republicans win back the majority,” she said.  

Grassley said he celebrated his 89th birthday by having a quiet meal with his wife and attending the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s fall banquet.  

“There was 1,000 people there,” he said. “And they sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me.” 

Des Moines Register reporter Katie Akin contributed to this report.  

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller. 

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her atbpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.