Since Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, announced his decision to seek retiring Sen. Tom Harkin’s, D-Iowa, Senate seat, many Iowa Democrats have considered running to replace Braley. However, one Democratic Cedar Rapids senator will not be among the field of candidates.

Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Cedar Rapids, announced she would not run to replace Braley, citing her daughter along with her recent campaigns as reasons not to consider a chance to become the first woman to represent Iowa in Washington.

“After two back-to-back campaigns in 12 months … seeking a Congressional position is more than I want to take on right now,” she said.

Mathis’ main reason was her daughter, who will be a high-school senior next year, which she said would be difficult to balance with a busy primary. Despite declining to run now she is not ruling out the possibility in the future.

“I’m 55 years old, and I’m just starting into politics,” she said.

Currently, Rep. Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, is running for the Democratic nomination. Steve Rathje — a Cedar Rapids businessman and who tried to win the Republican nomination in 2010 against Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa — has announced he will run for the Republican nomination.  Rob Blum, a Dubuque businessman, has also announced he will run for the Republican nomination for the 1st district.