Republican Sen. Joni Ernst Won't Seek Re-election In Iowa In 2026

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, plans to denote that she will not tally for re-election adjacent year, according to a personification acquainted pinch her decision.

The move, first reported by CBS News, would unfastened up different perchance competitory title successful Iowa, months aft GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she wouldn’t tally for re-election either. But while Democrats person been eyeing underdog bids successful some races, they’ve struggled successful caller statewide elections and haven’t won a Senate title successful nan authorities since 2008.

Ernst did not respond to a petition for comment.

Ernst won re-election by much than six points successful 2020. President Donald Trump carried nan authorities by double-digits successful 2024, though Democratic President Barack Obama won nan authorities some successful 2012 and 2008.

Multiple Democrats person already jumped into nan title against Ernst, including authorities Rep. Josh Turke, authorities Sen. Zach Wahls, Des Moines School Board Chairwoman Jackie Norris and Nathan Sage, a Marine and Army veteran.

And nan high-profile opening successful nan reddish authorities will undoubtedly tie liking among Republicans — each 4 legislature seats are presently represented by nan GOP. While Rep. Randy Feenstra is moving for governor, Reps. Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks truthful acold person signaled they’re moving for re-election to nan House. But immoderate Republicans had suggested Hinson could beryllium well-positioned to tally if Ernst decided not to, and a root acquainted pinch her reasoning said Friday she would see moving if Ernst does driblet out.

NATO Ambassador Matt Whitaker would besides see moving for nan spot if Ernst declines to activity re-election, according to a root acquainted pinch Whitaker’s thinking.

The 55-year-old Ernst took agency aft her triumph successful 2014, erstwhile nan then-state legislator defeated Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley. Running arsenic a Washington outsider, Ernst ran a memorable advertisement wherever she played up her acquisition castrating pigs and promised to “make ‘em squeal” successful Washington if elected.

While Ernst had antecedently promised to service only 2 six-year Senate terms, she’s celebrated among Republicans successful Washington who had hoped she would tally again.

But she’s faced unit from her party’s correct flank, most precocious during her nationalist wavering complete whether to backmost Trump’s prime to lead nan Defense Department, Pete Hegseth. Hegseth faced allegations of sexual assault and that he had issues pinch alcohol, which he vehemently denied. Ernst, who has made combatting intersexual battle successful nan subject a cardinal privilege during her clip successful office, yet decided to ballot for Hegseth.

And she drew nationalist attraction successful May erstwhile she pushed backmost connected a subordinate astatine a municipality hall gathering successful Iowa who criticized Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that included cuts to Medicaid backing and activity requirements.

After nan questioner asserted that group would dice because of nan legislation, Ernst replied: “People are not — well, we each are going to die, so, for heaven’s sakes.”

While Washington has been waiting for Ernst to denote her plans — she had hired a run head but delayed her yearly “Roast and Ride” arena amid questions astir her governmental early — she fundraised little past 4th ($722,000) than successful immoderate 4th during her 2020 bid.