“Let me just say,” Harkin said at the start of his victory speech, “thank you Iowa.”

After thanking his family and campaign staff, Harkin spoke of his goals and dreams for the future of Iowa in his role as a third-term Democratic senator, the first in the state’s history.

“Tonight partisan politics should stop,” Harkin said, adding that he plans to represent all Iowans, no matter what their political beliefs.

“I believe in a nation that our strength lies in not our differences,” he said while urging Iowans to “reject the politics of division.”

Harkin rallied his crowd of supporters at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Des Moines by saying he plans to build Iowa’s educational system to be the best in the nation.

“I want to invest in A-1 education, not B-2 bomber.” He said he will continue to support college financial aid and will help connect all Iowa classrooms to the ICN (Iowa Communication Network).

To thunderous applause, the senator ended his speech.

“And now to all of you, all of my wonderful and dear friends, let the party begin.”