Iowans have elected three Democrats to serve in congress, along with two Republicans. Neither of the two Republicans has ever served in the minority, but with Democrats seizing control of the U.S. House, both Congressmen Tom Latham and Steve King will find themselves in different circumstances in congress next January.
Latham spoke with Radio Iowa overnight. “Obviously I don’t like to see that change,” Latham said. “But my position on the Appropriations Committee, which is the most bipartisan committee in congress, really will not effect my effectiveness as far as serving in congress.”
Dr. Seldon Spencer, a neurologist from Huxley who was the Democrat challenging Latham’s re-election bid this year, said late last night that he may run against Latham again in ’08. “I’m very comfortable with analyzing the data..and starting to work on it (Wednesday),” Spencer told Radio Iowa. “I think I would like to plan for 2008.”
Latham beat Spencer by 14 percentage points in this year’s election. With 99 percent of the precincts reporting in the fourth congressional district, Latham is beating Spencer 57 to 43 percent.
Congressman King did not respond to Radio Iowa’s request for an interview after the polls closed Tuesday night. King was re-elected with 58 percent of the votes cast in the fifth district race.