The Omaha World Herald this morning has the story that Congressman Steve King has pulled his name from consideration as the Republican nominee for the open Iowa Senate seat being vacated by Tom Harkin.

“DES MOINES (AP) — Iowa Rep. Steve King said Friday he will not run for the U.S. Senate, opening the race to succeed Democrat Tom Harkin to lesser-known Republicans.

King, a conservative firebrand from the state’s GOP-heavy west, had long eyed a challenge of Harkin, who was elected to the Senate in 1984 but has decided not to seek a sixth term. But King, a six-term U.S. House member, said in a press statement Friday: “I will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2014.”

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130504/NEWS/706239998/1707#iowa-s-steve-king-won-t-pursue-senate-seat

Iowa Agricultural Secretary Bill Northey has also removed his name from consideration.