U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin announced Saturday he would not seek re-election as his current term is set to expire after the 2014 General Election.

“I have been thinking hard about the decision whether to run for a sixth term in the United States Senate for a number of months — even more these last few weeks.  I’ve reached a decision, and what I’ve decided really boils down to two things,” he said.  “First, I’m going to fulfill a promise that I made to my wife Ruth, and that I also made to myself.  It’s a promise that we’re going to do certain things together — and that we’re going to live together in a way we’ve often talked about — before it gets too late.  That’s a decision I believe many Iowans can relate to, either because of their own circumstances, or perhaps those of their parents.  I have the privilege to be able to make this decision on my own terms, which not everyone can, and I’m deeply grateful to the people of Iowa that I do have that opportunity.”

Harkin, a native of Cumming, talked about his growing up under modest circumstances, the son of a coal miner with an eighth-grade education and an immigrant mother. He also noted his age as a factor in his decision.