Tom Harkin

Tom Harkin, born in 1939, Democratic member of the United States Senate from Iowa (1985- ). In 1990 Harkin became the first Iowa Democrat ever to be reelected to the Senate.

Born in Cumming, Iowa, Harkin received his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1962. He then joined the U.S. Navy, where he served until 1967. Harkin earned his law degree from Catholic University in 1972. In the early 1970s, he practiced law. He was a staff aide to the United States House of Representatives Select Committee on U.S. Involvement in Southeast Asia from 1973 to 1974. Harkin won a seat in the U.S. House in 1974 and was reelected four times. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984. Harkin ran for president of the United States in 1992, winning the caucus in his home state. However, his fourth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary and a lack of funds caused him to withdraw from the race.