Iowa’s Fourth District Congressman is questioning the motives driving the Republican challenging him in the June primary.
Steve King is seeking an eighth term in Congress, and until this year, has never been challenged by another Republican in seeking re-election.
This year, Sioux City State Senator Rick Bertrand is challenging King, and is receiving financial backing from Iowa Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter in June’s Republican primary election.
In comments made during a taping of this week’s “Iowa Press” program on Iowa Public Television, Congressman King said Bertrand isn’t raising issue differences.
“…..and I do think Rick Bertrand needs to answer this question: What did you get offered, and what did you accept?” And I think the voters need to know that because that’s a bigger part of this equation,” he said. “If you don’t have an issue, then what is the motive?”
In an interview with the Sioux City Journal last month, Bertrand said King had been courting a national reputation instead of delivering for his constituents.
"I am not going in there to be a national figure. I am going to be likable and effective," The Journal report quoted Bertrand as saying.
Congressman King says he’s undecided about debating Bertrand.
