Photo courtesy of the Office of Sen. Joni Ernst
By BallotWire
2025
WASHINGTON — September 2, 2025 — Sen. Joni Ernst, a prominent Republican, announced Tuesday that she will not seek a third term in 2026, opening a pivotal Senate seat in a state considered a Republican stronghold.
In a video statement, Ernst, 55, revealed her decision, citing months of prayer and personal reflection. She said the choice was driven by a desire to step back from public life and spend more time with her family after more than a decade of service in Washington. “After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not seek re-election in 2026,” Ernst said.
Elected in 2014, Ernst made history as the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate. She followed a career as a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, including service during the Iraq War. Her rapid ascent in Republican politics included leadership roles such as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee and, more recently, chair of the Senate Small Business Committee. She cultivated a reputation as a fiscal conservative and an advocate for veterans, farmers, and small businesses.
Her departure reshapes the 2026 Senate contest in Iowa, a race expected to favor Republicans but is now drawing renewed interest from both parties. On the Republican side, Rep. Ashley Hinson swiftly declared her candidacy, aligning her campaign with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. Other Republicans, including former state senator Jim Carlin and veteran Joshua Smith, had entered the race before Ernst’s announcement, signaling a potentially competitive primary.
Democrats, meanwhile, see an opportunity to mount a rare challenge in Iowa, where Republicans have dominated statewide contests in recent years. State senator Zach Wahls, state representative Josh Turek, Des Moines School Board chair Jackie Norris, and former state representative Bob Krause are among the Democrats who have launched campaigns. Party strategists argue that Ernst’s retirement creates a pathway to victory in a state where Democrats have struggled to gain traction.
Ernst’s decision also carries national implications. Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the Senate, and control of the chamber in 2026 may hinge on the outcome in states like Iowa. Her exit adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile election cycle.