WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — For the last 30 years, Iowa has sent one very liberal Democrat, Tom Harkin, to the U.S. Senate, while it has also sent one conservative Republican, Chuck Grassley. Some Iowans have come to view that situation as the state’s own version of balanced government.

A new Des Moines Register poll asked voters, “Do you think it has been to Iowa’s advantage or disadvantage to have a U.S. senator from each political party?” Fifty-three percent of respondents said it is an advantage, while just 25 percent said it is not.