Grassley acknowledges facing toughest re-election in decades

Sen. Charles Grassley acknowledges he's facing his toughest re-election race in decades.

The Republican seeking a seventh Senate term says more than his Democratic opposition, he thinks the presidential race could present challenges.

Grassley, back in Iowa Friday to meet with civic groups, schools and businesses, says he doesn't know how his support will be affected if billionaire businessman Donald Trump is the Republican nominee.

He equates the race to 1980 when many assumed Ronald Reagan would hurt down-ticket Republicans. It didn't turn out that way. Grassley says he received 100,000 more votes than Reagan in Iowa.

Grassley hasn't lost a general election in 50 years and typically wins with more than 60 percent of the vote.

Democrats running include former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and state Sen. Rob Hogg.