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In a Web video previewing his campaign, Harkin touts the values of hard work, honesty and caring for people less fortunate, which he said he learned growing up in Cumming, a small town south of Des Moines.
"It's these values that have led me over all my career here to work for change that has improved people's lives, change that means we have improved and better education for our kids, change that means we have a cleaner and healthier environment, change that means we have better jobs for working people all over America," Harkin said.
Harkin has more than three decades of experience in Congress, serving 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before his election to the Senate.
One of Harkin's most notable accomplishments is his help in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act, which extended civil rights to people with disabilities.
He currently serves as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which gives him a major role in drafting the country's farm legislation.
In his last race in 2002, Harkin faced a challenge from then-Congressman Greg Ganske, a Des Moines Republican.
That clash produced fireworks when the Ganske campaign accused Harkin's campaign of secretly taping a Ganske strategy session. Despite the controversy, Harkin went on to win re-election.
Republicans are lining up to take on Harkin this time. Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje, former State Rep. George Eichhorn, of Stratford, and Marion businessman Christopher Reed all have announced they will run against Harkin.
Harkin's announcement comes days after the most recent tally of registered voters showed Democrats with a more than 85,000-voter edge over the GOP in Iowa.
But Harkin won't get a free ride, said Tim Albrecht, spokesman for the Republican Party of Iowa.
"He's in lockstep with the Democrat-controlled Congress in pushing through the largest tax increase in history, and we intend to highlight that as well as a number of things in his record," Albrecht said.
Harkin spokesman Matt Paul hit back with an answer to Republican criticism.
"Sen. Harkin is proud of the fact that President Bush has vetoed more of his bills than any other U.S. senator," Paul said. "The failed policies of the Bush White House have given Americans a clear reason for new direction, and Sen. Harkin looks forward to utilizing his Iowa values and experience to help lead that change."
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
