(Radio Iowa) — Today (Tuesday) is Senator Chuck Grassley’s birthday. “Since the day I was born, I have celebrated Constitution Day,” Grassley said this morning. “That’s because the 39 delegates signing the United States Constitution on September the 17th Is exactly 146 years before I was born.” Grassley is now 86 years old. He’s has served in elected office since 1959, first as a state legislator, then as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Grassley has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 1981.

He recently told reporters to ask him in two-and-a-half years if he’ll run for a ninth term in 2022. Do you think I just sit around and think about reelection?” Grassley asked. Grassley says he’s healthy and sticking with the running habit he started at age 65. Grassley runs a three-mile route four days a week. Grassley has been celebrating his birthday in his Washington, D.C. office with ice cream — a favorite food group for Grassley — as well as lots of donuts.

Fellow Iowa Senator Joni Ernst delivered a platter of donuts this (Tuesday) morning to Grassley, with birthday candles burning on top. Since Grassley is currently the longest-serving Republican senator, he holds the office of president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate.