Answer
Tom Harkin lost the 1972 election for the U.S. House of Representatives. This was his first time running for office, and he was defeated by incumbent Republican John C. Culver. However, Harkin did not give up and ran again in 1974. This time, he was successful and won the seat. He would go on to serve in the House of Representatives for 16 years, before being elected to the U.S.