The Iowa Cty Press-Citizen endorsed Tom Harkin for a fifth term Tuesday, reversing a 2002 recommendation for new representation in the U.S. Senate.

The Press-Citizen endorsed Republican Greg Ganske in that race. But this year they had nothing but negatives for Harkin’s opponent, Christopher Reed.

“Six years ago, we thought Iowa Republicans had a candidate who might be worth a temporary drop in Iowa’s senatorial clout,” the editorial reads. “This year, we worry about what Reed’s nomination says about the future of Iowa Republicans.”

“All he seems willing to do is to repeat the perennial complaint that ‘Washington is broken,’ without explaining the practical steps he would take to fix the problem,” wrote the editorial board. “Reed said he wanted to reduce the size of government, but then told us it was ‘unfair’ to ask him what types of programs he would like to cut in order to accomplish this.”

As for the incumbent, the Press-Citizen cited Harkin’s pragmatism and seniority. “He continually puts Iowa front and center in the fight for good farm policy, agricultural research funds and in discussions on international agricultural trade.”