Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa announces she won’t seek re-election in 2026 midterms

Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa made headlines on Monday as she announced that she will not seek re-election in the upcoming midterms. In a heartfelt video posted on social media, the 55-year-old senator cited her family as the reason for her decision, stating, “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 get back to them.”

Ernst, a retired Army Reserve and Iowa National Guard officer who served in the Iraq War, has been contemplating her re-election bid for several months. Her announcement creates an open seat in Iowa, with GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson expected to run to succeed her.

Iowa, once a battleground state that shifted to the right in recent years, has all Republican representatives in Congress except for one Democrat. Despite this, Democrats in Iowa have been energized after flipping two GOP-held state Senate seats in special elections this year.

Ernst, who gained national attention with her “make ’em squeal” ads during her Senate campaign, has been a key figure in defense issues as the first female combat veteran in the Senate. She has also been an advocate for combating sexual assault in the military, drawing from her own experience as a survivor.

As Ernst steps back from the Senate, Republicans are looking to both defend and expand their majority in next year’s elections. With a favorable map in 2024, Senate Republicans flipped four seats to win back the majority. However, the party in power traditionally faces challenges in midterm elections, and Democrats are targeting key states where Republican senators are retiring.

In Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Minnesota, Democrats see opportunities to flip Senate seats. Republicans, on the other hand, are focusing on defending seats in North Carolina and Ohio, while also targeting moderate Democrat Senator Susan Collins in Maine.

Overall, the 2026 Senate elections are shaping up to be a closely watched and competitive race, with both parties vying for control of the chamber. Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming elections.