Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat from Iowa, will not seek reelection
| Washington
Democratic U.S. Senator Tom听Harkin听辞蹿听听said on Saturday he will not seek re-election in 2014, saying he felt that after 40 years in听, it will be "somebody else's turn."
Harkin, 73, is one of the most liberal senators and has focused much of his long congressional career on farm policy and legislation aiding people with disabilities.
, site of the early presidential caucuses, is considered a political swing state, putting Democrats' long-held听听seat at risk. Republican听听颈蝉听's other U.S. senator.
"I don't by any means plan to retire completely from public life at the end of this听,"听Harkin听said in a statement. "But I am going to make way for someone new in this听听seat. I think that is right not just for me, but for听, as well."
In his remaining two years in office,听Harkin听said he will focus on implementing President听's healthcare reforms, expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities and expanding access to education.
Harkin听was first elected to the听听in 1974 and the听听in 1984.
"When the current听听is over, I will have served in the听听听and the U.S.听for a total of 40 years. After 40 years, I just feel it's somebody else's turn," he said.
