Chet Culver won his 2006 bid for governor, defeating Republican congressman Jim Nussle with 54 percent of the vote.

In 1998, Culver was elected secretary of state in his first run for elected office. He defeated Republican John Gilliland, garnering nearly 50 percent of the vote. He won re-election in 2002, defeating Republican Mike Hartwig with 53 percent of the vote.

(Last updated by Mike Glover on March 26, 2009.)

Chuck Grassley was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980, with 54 percent of the vote, ousting incumbent Democratic Sen. John Culver.

He was re-elected in 1986 with 66 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat John P. Roehrick.

Grassley won a third term in 1992, defeating state Sen. Jean Lloyd-Jones with 70 percent of the vote. In 1998, he won a fourth Senate term defeating Democrat David Osterberg with 68 percent of the vote.

He was re-elected in 2004 with 70 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Arthur Small.

Before coming to the Senate, Grassley was elected to the U.S. House in 1974 and was re-elected in 1976 and 1978. He also served in the Iowa House.

(Last updated by Scott McFetridge on March 26, 2009.)

Tom Harkin was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984, with 56 percent of the vote, defeating Republican incumbent Sen. Roger Jepsen. He was re-elected in 1990 with 54 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Tom Tauke. He was re-elected in 1996 with 52 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Jim Lightfoot. He was re-elected in 2002 with 54 percent.

In 2008, Harkin faced Republican challenger Chris Reed. Harkin defeated Reed with 63 percent of the vote.

Harkin was elected to the U.S. House in 1974 and was re-elected to four consecutive terms. Harkin lost a 1972 race for the U.S. House.

He made a bid for the presidency in 1992 and won the Iowa caucuses. But he dropped out of the race in March 1992.

(Last updated by Scott McFetridge on March 26, 2009.)