WASHINGTON, DC - Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says he'll make a decision this fall on whether to run for reelection.
He's one of the two oldest U.S. Senators at age 87, and has served for seven terms.
Republican State Senator Jim Carlin of Sioux City has announced he's running for the seat whether Grassley seeks an eighth term or not.
Grassley's decision is gaining national attention as Republicans will have to defend at least four open Senate seats in next year's election - in in Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and possibly a fifth in Wisconsin where Senator Ron Johnson has not said whether he'll seek reelection.
Grassley last won reelection in 2016 by 24 points and is a staple of Iowa politics.
Iowa has historically been a swing state, but it has trended toward Republicans in recent years.
Democrats could still look to be competitive however, if Grassley chooses to retire.
Grassley has made no comment about state Senator Carlin's run for his seat.