With governor, Senate races looming in 2010, Iowa residents still don’t know who’s running

Top Iowa candidates? It’s anyone’s guess

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa’s top two races in next year’s general election are effectively frozen.

One’s stalled by a potential candidate who hasn’t decided whether to run, the other by a promised candidate who hasn’t decided whether to be named.

Republicans are waiting to see if former Gov. Terry Branstad will seek the office again. And Democrats wonder who the mystery candidate is that Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan assures them will give GOP Sen. Charles Grassley “the race of his life.”

Some welcome the prospect of well-known, well-financed candidates running against the incumbents. To others, it’s an annoyance that keeps activists from getting engaged in the races.

But as Democratic strategist Matt Paul notes, no one’s clamoring for a longer election season.