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In an email to supporters, Sen. Tom Harkin announced his wife Ruth plans to formally endorse Democratic candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton.

In the email, Harkin explains that he and Ruth are no strangers to passionate political involvement and that his wife did not take this decision lightly.

"Ruth took many things into account before deciding on this endorsement," Harkin wrote. "When Ruth was elected to the position of Story County Attorney in 1972, she was honored to be the first woman to hold the position of county attorney in our state's history -- and one of the first female county-wide prosecutors in the country. It was an exciting and challenging time for her, but it taught her that groundbreaking accomplishments just don't happen. They are not just made -- they happen over time and with hard work, determination and focus."

Ruth Harkin served as county attorney in Story County until 1979. She was the county's lead criminal prosecutor and also served as its corporate attorney. The Harkins have raised two daughters, Amy and Jenny. As an infant, Army often shared Ruth's office at the Story County Court House.

Ruth left the Story County post to serve as deputy general counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. In 1993, Pres. Bill Clinton chose her to be president of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, an agency that encourages mutually beneficial American private investment in developing countries and newly emerging free markets.

Harkin added his wife, as a public office holder, feels a responsibility for "opening doors and paving a new way" for other women seeking leadership roles. He closes the letter by stating his personal resolve not to endorse any candidate.

"I have worked closely with many of them, and I am extremely proud of each of them for their commitment to public service," he wrote. "I remain focused on my own re-election campaign in 2008 and look forward to working with a Democrat in the White House."

With this endorsement, Ruth Harkin joins several other prominent Iowa women who are active in the Clinton campaign. State Central Committee member Bonnie Eggers, Cedar Rapids Mayor Kay Halloran, former First Lady Christie Vilsack, former University of Iowa Democrats President Megan Heneke, Des Moines activist and philanthropist Susan Knapp, Iowa Rep. Mary Mascher, former candidate for lieutenant governor Dr. Andrea McGuire, former Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson and former Iowa Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Bonnie Campbell have all publicly announced their support of Clinton.