Jacobs: U.S. senators don’t make much money

DAVENPORT - Republican Senate hopeful Mark Jacobs was catching flak Monday after telling an interviewer that 'I don't think U.S. senators make that much money.”

A rival suggested the remark shows the millionaire former energy executive is out of touch.

The comment came in an interview with Kasie Hunt of NBC News. In it, Hunt said that some wealthy candidates have sacrificed their salaries and asked Jacobs if he would be willing to do the same.

Jacobs replied: 'Well, I don't think U.S. senators make that much money, but again, you know, I'm willing to make significant investment of my time and energy here to help solve the problems we have in this country.”

Senators make $174,000 per year. The comment was included in a segment on the MSNBC program, 'Morning Joe.”

Jacobs has put $1.65 million of his own money into the GOP primary, the bulk of the funds his campaign has raised.

Monday afternoon, he released a statement.

'I misspoke in hearing the question for the first time and want to make clear I didn't enter into this Senate race because of the salary,” Jacobs said. 'I'm running for public office because I want to serve the families of Iowa and know that I have done something for them, our great state and our country.”

The campaign for state Sen. Joni Ernst, another Republican seeking the party's nomination, suggested that Jacobs was out of touch with Iowans.

'Of course a Texas energy executive wouldn't think that $174,000 is a lot of money. However, real Iowans know the value of a dollar and would most certainly know the salary of a job they are applying for,” said Derek Flowers, a spokesman.

Jacobs and Ernst are among five Republicans seeking the nomination. The others are Matt Whitaker, Sam Clovis and Scott Schaben.

The primary is June 3.