Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) officially announced Tuesday that she will not run for a third six-year term next year.
“It has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service of our great state and country,” Ernst, 55, said in a video message, adding that after her family had given her “so much love and support” during her career in the military and public service, “it’s my time for me to give back to them.”
“After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking re-election in 2026,” she confirmed before touting her accomplishments over a decade-plus in office.
“We’ve cut waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government and [reined] in overburdensome rules and regulations. We’ve protected the lives of the unborn; prevented violence against women; supported our hard-working farmers, families and small businesses; honored and fought for our fellow veterans; and strengthened our military and the brave men and women who chose to serve,” Ernst said.
“While this chapter of elected service will soon close, I will always find ways to best serve my community, state and these great United States of America.”
Ernst was first elected to the Senate in 2014.
Her predecessor, Tom Harkin, was the last Democrat to represent the former swing state in the upper chamber of Congress.
A retired lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, Ernst is the first woman elected to Congress from the Hawkeye State and the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate.
She won her first term in 2014 by 8.3 percentage points over Democrat Bruce Braley and secured re-election in 2020 by 6.6 percentage points over Democrat Theresa Greenfield.
President Trump carried Iowa in each of his three presidential election campaigns after the state voted twice for Democrats Barack Obama and Bill Clinton — as well as Michael Dukakis in 1988 and Al Gore in 2000.
Ernst’s seat is rated “likely Republican” by the Cook Political Report.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) announced she would run to replace Ernst hours after her announcement became public.
“I’m all in. I’m running for the United States Senate to fight alongside President Trump and deliver on the America First agenda,” Hinson wrote on X.
“From securing our border and deporting illegal aliens, to keeping men out of girl’s sports and cutting taxes for working families, I will fight every day for Iowans and our conservative values,” she went on.
“President Trump is restoring the American Dream but our work isn’t over yet. The Left will do anything and everything to resurrect their out-of-touch agenda and dismantle our progress. As Iowa’s next Senator, I will stop at nothing to Make America Great!”
Former Iowa GOP state Sen. Jim Carlin and military veteran Joshua Smith had already entered the primary race to challenge Ernst ahead of her announcement.
On the Democratic side, state Sen. Zach Wahls; state Rep. Josh Turek; Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines School Board; and Nathan Sage, a former local chamber of commerce president, are all seeking the party’s nomination for the seat.
Senate Majority PAC, a fundraising committee for Democratic Senate candidates, slammed Ernst, arguing that her retirement is an example of Democrats “expanding the senatorial map.”
“Good riddance,” Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Lauren French said in a statement. “Joni Ernst came to Washington with empty promises and is leaving having gutted IA Health Link and making it harder for families to afford basic goods. But only after laughing in the face of Iowans living with the very real consequences of her actions.
“[R]egardless of who the GOP nominee is, they are going to have to answer to Iowans hurting because of the deep cuts to health care and nutrition assistance forced upon them by congressional Republicans,” French added.
Iowa’s senior senator, Chuck Grassley, called it an “honor” to serve alongside Ernst.
“She broke barriers at every turn and accomplished what she set out to do: ‘MAKE ‘EM SQUEAL,’” Grassley said in a statement, referring to a now-famous ad Ernst released in 2014 in which she likened her experience castrating pigs to cutting “pork” in Washington.
“Whatever she chooses to do in her next chapter, they will be lucky to have this outstanding leader on the team,” he added. “I will miss serving with Joni but know she will enjoy having more time to cherish her favorite role, as a mother and grandmother.”
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