John Culver

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John Culver
John Culver

In office
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by Harold E. Hughes
Succeeded by Charles Grassley

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1975
Preceded by James E. Bromwell
Succeeded by Michael T. Blouin

Born August 8, 1932 (1932-08-08) (age 75)
Rochester, Minnesota
Political party Democratic
Profession Lawyer

John Chester Culver (born August 8, 1932) is an American politician of the Democratic Party who represented Iowa in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.

Culver was born in Rochester, Minnesota but moved with his family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa as a child.

Culver is a graduate of both Harvard University and Harvard Law School. As an undergraduate, Culver played on the Harvard football team with Edward Kennedy. He served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1958 as well. Culver also attended Cambridge University, for a year following his tenure at Harvard College.

He began practicing law in Cedar Rapids in 1963, but soon entered politics. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Iowa as a Democrat in 1964. He served in the House from 1965 until 1975.

In 1974, Culver was elected to the U.S. Senate, winning the seat left open by the retirement of Harold E. Hughes with 50.02% of the vote. Culver served one term in the Senate, from 1975 until 1981. Culver was defeated in a bid for reelection by Republican Chuck Grassley in 1980. Culver took 45.5% of the vote to Grassley's 53.5%.

In 2000, Culver co-authored American Dreamer, the first comprehensive biography of Henry A. Wallace. Culver currently practices law in Washington, D.C. and lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife, Mary Jane Checchi and his son, John Vincent Culver.

Culver's elder son, Chet, is the current Governor of Iowa. His term began on January 12, 2007 after being elected on November 7, 2006.

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United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
James E. Bromwell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 2nd congressional district

1965 – 1975
Succeeded by
Michael T. Blouin
United States Senate
Preceded by
Harold E. Hughes
United States Senator (Class 3) from Iowa
1975 – 1981
Served alongside: Richard C. Clark, Roger W. Jepsen
Succeeded by
Charles Grassley
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