King decides against Iowa Senate race

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) late Friday announced on Twitter that he would not run for Senate in 2014.

{mosads}“A Senate race takes me out of urgent battles in Congress that can’t wait until 2015. Many thanks to all,” he tweeted.

King becomes the third prominent Republican in the past two weeks to opt against a run.

On Thursday, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey (R) tweeted that he would not seek the Republican nomination for the seat now held by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).

Northey said he hoped Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) would jump into the race.

Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced last week that she would not seek the seat.

In April, King said he saw a “path to victory” if he ran and was “close” to making a decision.

However, King said his polling showed any Republican faces an “uphill climb” to victory, — a hint he might not have been totally sold on a bid.