Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa makes it official: She’s not seeking re-election next year

Republican Senator Joni Ernst Iowa officially announced on Monday that she will not run for reelection in the mid-term next year.

“As our family grows older and now gives me a lot of love and supportive family, it’s time for me to go back to that time. After a tremendous prayer and reflection, I will seek reelection in 2026 and in 2026, I will seek “Ernst, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014.

Ernst, retired Army Reserve, Iowa National Guard Those who served in the Iraq War have been running for re-election for months in 2026.

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“It’s not an easy decision,” the senator said to her. Video announcement.

The Senator’s decision to retire rather than seek a third six-year term has established an open seat in Iowa.

GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson, a former TV news anchor who represents Iowa’s second congressional district in her third term, which covers the northeastern part of the state, is planning a run to replace Ernst, confirming multiple sources last week with Fox News.

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Iowa was once the top battlefield for former presidents Barack Obama In his 2008 and 2012 White House won. But the state has moved to the right in the recent election cycle, with President Donald Trump improving the state with eight points in 2020 and 13 points last November.

Republicans currently own seats in the state’s Senate – Ernst and longtime Senator Chuck Grassley, as well as all four congressional districts in Iowa, as well as all statewide offices, except for the state auditor held by Democrat Rob Sand, who runs for governor next year.

but Democrats in Iowa This is thrilled after flipping two Republican Senate seats in special elections so far this year.

Four Democrats are already running for the Senate in Iowa. The field includes state Rep. Josh Turek, Paralympic wheelchair basketball player, state Sen. Zach Wahls, Knoxville Chamber Executive Director Nathan Sage and Des Moines School Board Chairman Jackie Norris.

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Ernst gained national attention 11 years ago with a “Make’Em Scream” ad as she won the high-profile Senate election for long-time Democratic Senate Tom Harkin, who was successfully retired.

Because of her military background, the senator often accepts Lead national defense issues. She was the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate and has been a priority for military assault in her own survivor of sexual assault.

Ernst has balanced support for the president since Trump won the White House in 2016, as she feels a more traditional Republican agenda.

But Ernst sparked controversy earlier this year after saying “we’ll all die”, when he was concerned about the Republican domestic policy bill bringing Medicaid cuts in response to voters during a city hall meeting.

Republicans’ goal is not only to defend the current 53-47 Senate majority in next year’s election.

Senate Republicans In the 2024 cycle, they enjoyed a favorable map as they flipped four seats from blue to red to win most seats.

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But those in power (apparently Republicans are currently) face political headwinds in traditional terms in the midterms. However, the current reading of the 2026 map suggests that the Republicans may attack in certain critical states.

In the battlefield in Georgia that Trump almost carried in last year’s White House game, Republicans believe that the first Senator Jon Ossoff is the most vulnerable Democrat next year and there will be another election next year.

So are they Targeting the Battlefield MichiganDemocratic Sen. Gary Peters will retire at the end of next year, and New Hampshire’s swing state, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen decided not to seek a fourth six-year term in the Senate.

The NRSC’s target list is also Minnesota Blue Minnesota, where Democratic Sen. Tina Smith is not running for reelection.

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But Republicans are defending an open seat on the North Carolina battlefield, with Republican Senator Thom Tills not seeking reelection. Republicans may be forced to spend resources to defend Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed former senator and current vice president, JD Vance – next year he faces former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Meanwhile, Democrats are targeting moderate Sen. Susan Collins, who has not announced her expected reelection in 2026 – Maine Blue.