Des Moines Sun

Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Franken, 63, on Oct. 14, threw his hat into the ring for the U.S. Senate race where, if he wins the Democratic primary, he will challenge longtime Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley for his seat.

Franken also announced a list of endorsements from 21 elected officials and party activists. He told the Des Moines Register he needed to help “clear the dysfunction in Washington.” Franken said that Grassley has been moving away from the interest of Iowa since being elected in 1980. Franken also criticized Grassley’s support of President Donald Trump.

Supporters took to Twitter to express excitement about the upcoming race.

“Yeah!!!,” tweeted a supporter named Iowafreckles on Oct. 14. “Michael Franken running against Grassley. Go Iowa!!!”

Franken is originally from Sioux County and since 2019 has lived in Sioux City. A three-star vice admiral, Franken retired in 2017 after nearly four decades in the Navy. The Des Moines Register reported that while he lacks political office experience, Franken is no stranger to Washington as he served on Sen. Ted Kennedy’s staff as well as at the U.S. Department of Defense. He was also the Navy’s chief of legislative affairs. 

The Register reported that while he has never held office, voters will recall Franken’s name from the 2020 Democratic Senate primary where he finished second.

Franken told Radio Iowa that his military experience and public service gives him a leg up against the other Democrats he will face. He stressed the need to decrease the divide between his party, as well as Republicans and Democrats.

“The lack of leadership we see in our elected leaders suggests an individual of accomplishment – who who has done leadership before – can do some good,” Franken told Iowa Radio.