By:Robin Opsahl
Iowa Capital Dispatch
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced Tuesday she is officially not running for another term in the U.S. Senate, leaving the seat open heading into the 2026 election cycle.
In a video address, Ernst said it was “no easy decision” to decide not to seek reelection for a third term as senator.
“It has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service of our great state and country, having been raised in a family who has given me so much love and support,” Ernst said. “Now, as our family ages and grows, it’s my time for me to give back to them. After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026.”
Ernst, who was first elected in 2014 and reelected in 2020, is the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, having served in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard. Before her time in Congress, she had served in public office as a state senator and Montgomery County auditor.
The Republican said Iowans sent her to Washington “with a mission in mind — to make Washington squeal,” referencing her 2014 campaign ad and efforts in office to address federal government waste, fraud and abuse. Ernst said she was “proud to say we have delivered” on her “squeal” promises. She also highlighted her work in the U.S. Senate on anti-abortion measures, preventing violence against women and supporting farmers and veterans.
“As a proud Harley rider, you can rest assured, I’m not slowing down anytime soon,” Ernst said. “There is still so much to accomplish before the end of my term, and I’ll keep fighting every single day, as I always have, to make Iowans’ voices heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress.”
Reports were published Friday from multiple outlets saying that sources close to Ernst expected she would announce her plans for 2026 this week. Though Senate GOP leadership had reportedly encouraged Ernst to run for another term, the senator faced criticism from Republicans for expressing concerns about U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during the nomination process. She also gained national attention for saying “well, we all are going to die,” at a May town hall when responding to a person who said GOP-backed Medicaid cuts would cause people to die.
Democrats running for the U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 election, responded that Ernst’s decision not to run was a signal that Republicans’ hold of Iowa’s congressional seats could be at risk. Currently, Iowa’s federal delegation is all Republican, but Iowa’s 1st and 3rd Districts have been brought up by political forecasters as pivotal battlegrounds for control of the U.S. House in the upcoming midterms.
The Cook Political Report rated the race for Iowa’s Senate seat as “likely Republican” — but the race could be more contentious without an incumbent Republican candidate.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Kirsten Gillibrand released a statement responding to Ernst’s announcement, and said her decision shows that “Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ devastating agenda has put their majority in jeopardy.”
“Republicans can see the writing on the wall: spiking costs and ripping away health care does so much damage to their states that they would rather leave the Senate than defend their actions to voters,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in the statement. “Democrats are in a strong position to win seats and continue fighting for working families.”
State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris and former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage are currently running to become Iowa’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott said in a statement the Senate GOP campaign arm “is confident Iowans will elect a Republican to continue fighting for them and championing President Trump’s agenda in 2026.” He also thanked Ernst for her service in Washington and in the military.
“Joni Ernst has dedicated her life to serving our nation and improving the lives of Iowans,” Scott said. “Traveling across the Hawkeye State with Joni, I know she loves Iowa, and Iowa loves her. We are grateful for all she has accomplished in helping Iowa families keep more of their hard-earned money and make Washington squeal.”
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said Ernst “dropped out of this race because she knows her support for Medicaid cuts is a nonstarter” — and said whoever becomes the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate will have to contend with “the same toxic Republican agenda that’s harming Iowa families.”
“The energy is on our side heading into the midterms as Iowans are fed up with Washington Republicans spiking costs for working people to deliver tax cuts for billionaires,” Hart said. “In 2026, Iowans will elect a Democrat to the U.S. Senate who will prioritize making Iowa economically prosperous and a healthier state.”
Hinson expected to make a bid for U.S. Senate
There are two Republicans currently running for the nomination: former state lawmaker Jim Carlin and Joshua Smith, a former Libertarian candidate for the state Senate.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is also expected to join the race. In a social media post Monday, Hinson thanked Ernst for her service and added that she and her husband will share an announcement soon.
“As we look forward, President Trump needs a fighter in the Senate who will always have his back to continue to cut spending, deport illegal aliens, and put working families first,” Hinson wrote. “I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with the President to pass this America First agenda in the House and I would be his strongest ally in the Senate. Matt and I will have an announcement soon about how we believe we can best serve Iowa, and how we can help President Trump make America great again.”
Hinson has been working on reelection efforts in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in recent months. There are currently three Democrats running for the seat in 2026, state Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, Clint Twedt-Ball, the founder of the nonprofit Matthew 25 and Kathy Dolter, the former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College.
Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Hinson’s expected move to the U.S. Senate race in 2026 shows Democrats have a strong chance in the 2nd District race.
“Ashley Hinson is clearly eager to jump off the sinking ship that is her re-election in Iowa’s 2nd district,” Smith said. “Hinson is terrified to face her voters, who’ve had a front row seat as she’s prioritized Washington and billionaires while voting to raise Iowans’ costs. There’s change coming in Iowa: voters are ready for new leadership and no matter what Hinson decides, she will lose her seat.”