A plastic surgeon from Des Moines who’s been in Congress the past six years has formally announced he’ll run for the U-S Senate. Congressman Greg Ganske, a republican, will challenge democrat Senator Tom Harkin in 2002. Ganske says the election is not about a fight between Republicans and Democrats, he says it’s about reforming the government and solving the nation’s problems.Ganske, who is 51-years-old, is the third republican Congressman from to face Harkin. Former Congressman Tom Tauke of Dubuque lost to Harkin in 1990 and former Congressman Jim Lightfoot of Shenandoah lost to Harkin in 1996. Ganske says his record will “speak for itself” and his independence on certain issues will make it harder for his opponent to enter into a negative campaign.In a prepared statement, Senator Tom Harkin said he wants to work with Ganske on “shared priorities” and Harkin said there will be “plenty of time for politics next year.” Ganske made his announcement Saturday during a “fly-around” tour of Iowa, with stops in Des Moines, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Mason City, Sioux City and Council Bluffs.
