Republican Sen. Joni Ernst Confirms Retirement; Iowa Senate Seat Opens
UPDATE: Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa will not seek re-election in the 2026 midterms, according to multiple sources speaking to Fox News. This bombshell announcement is expected to be made official next week, marking a significant shift in Iowa’s political landscape.
The decision from the 55-year-old Ernst, who has served in the Senate since 2014, opens a critical Senate seat in Iowa. Ernst, a retired Army Reserve and Iowa National Guard officer who served in the Iraq War, has been deliberating over her political future for months. Her choice to retire rather than pursue a third six-year term is poised to create a competitive race for her successor.
Sources confirm that GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson, currently in her third term representing Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, is gearing up to run for Ernst’s seat. Hinson, a former TV news anchor, is expected to be a prominent candidate in the upcoming election.
Iowa, once a critical battleground that supported former President Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012, has shifted right in recent cycles. In the 2020 election, Donald Trump won Iowa by eight points, further solidifying Republican control. With both Senate seats currently held by Republicans—Ernst and longstanding Senator Chuck Grassley—the GOP is keen on protecting their stronghold in the state.
However, Democrats are revitalized following recent electoral victories, including flipping two GOP-held state Senate seats in special elections earlier this year. Four Democratic candidates are already in the race for the Senate seat, including state Rep. Josh Turek, state Sen. Zach Wahls, and Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris.
Ernst gained national attention in her initial Senate campaign with her memorable “make ’em squeal” ads. Throughout her tenure, she has played a key role in defense issues, leveraging her military experience. However, she drew criticism earlier this year for a controversial remark regarding Medicaid cuts during a town hall meeting, stating, “we are all going to die.”
As Republicans prepare to defend and potentially expand their 53-47 Senate majority in the upcoming elections, the political map for 2026 appears favorable. The GOP is eyeing vulnerable Democratic incumbents in battleground states such as Georgia, where Jon Ossoff is seen as at risk, and Michigan, where Democratic Senator Gary Peters will not seek re-election.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is also targeting blue-leaning Minnesota, with Democratic Senator Tina Smith stepping down, alongside an open seat in North Carolina where Republican Senator Thom Tillis is retiring.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as this crucial political race unfolds.
