GOP Candidates Surface After Key Republicans Say 'No' to U.S. Senate Run

With top contenders passing on the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Tom Harkin, a few politicians are now saying they are interested.

Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker, a Republican in the mold of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, said he will file paperwork to run on WHO Radio's Simon Conway show, according to The Iowa Republican.

Whitaker, a managing partner at a law firm based in Des Moines, appears to be the first Republican candidate to announce the intention to run after several high profile options declined, including Congressman Tom Latham, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Congressman Steve King. Early polls had King as the favorite in the primary.

A couple other Republicans are also expressing some interest.

State Sen. Joni Ernst, of Red Oak, told the Des Moines Register that she is considering a run but still evaluating whether to jump in. Ernst was encouraged to run by Reynolds, according to the Register.

Ames lawyer Paul Lunde said over the weekend that he plans to seek the GOP nomination, according to the Register. Lunde lost to Democrat Neal Smith in congressional races in 1988 and 1992.

Congressman Bruce Braley announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination in January, shortly after Harkin said he would not run for reelection in 2014.

Braley, an attorney from Waterloo, already is building his war chest and has the backing of several Democrats, including Harkin.