Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced that she will not seek reelection in 2026.
In a video shared to social media, Enrst said, “My fellow Iowans, serving as your United States senator is the privilege of a lifetime, from growing up and working on my family’s farm in rural southwest Iowa to more than two decades of leadership in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard, where I deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to my work as Montgomery County auditor, state senator, and now as your United States 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. Now, as our family ages and grows, it’s my time for me to give back to them,” she said. “After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026.”
In response to Ernst’s announcement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) claimed President Donald Trump’s agenda has jeopardized the GOP’s Senate majority.
“Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ devastating agenda has put their majority in jeopardy,” the Democrats said. “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. Democrats are in a strong position to win seats and continue fighting for working families.”
