Former Iowa Congressman James Leach was named interim director of Harvard University’s Institute of Politics on Monday, replacing Jeanne Shaheen who stepped down to run for a U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire.
Leach, a 15-term Republican lawmaker, will take a leave for the academic year from his position as visiting professor of public and international affairs at Princeton University while Harvard conducts a search for a permanent director.
“The Institute of Politics is an engaging and dynamic place, and I am eager to begin working closely with students and staff, faculty, and fellows to energize young people to embrace the challenges and opportunities of politics and public service,” Leach said in a statement.
While in Congress, Leach served as chairman of the House Banking and Financial Services Committee, and was co-author of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that reformed the financial services industry. Leach left Congress after his defeat last November to Democrat Dave Loebsack.
