Iowa Republican Ernst not seeking a third Senate term in 2026

DES MOINES, Iowa (CN) — Sources close to Iowa Senator Joni Ernst are indicating the Republican will not seek reelection to a third term, opening the door for Democrats seeking their first Senate victory in the state since 2008.

Ernst’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Courthouse News on Friday.

Ernst had been coy about her reelection plans, hinting that an announcement would be coming while also scheduling her annual Roast and Ride fundraiser for October and hiring a campaign director. Meanwhile, she faced primary challenges from two announced candidates, including a former Iowa state senator.

Friday’s reports of Ernst’s decision set off a flurry of speculation about the 2026 election with several possible Republican candidates for the seat including U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson and Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO who briefly served as acting attorney general in the first Trump administration.

Four Iowa Democrats are seeking their party’s Senate next year: state Senator Zach Wahls, state Representative Josh Turek, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris and Nathan Sage, former chamber of commerce director in Knoxville, Iowa.

Ernst’s announcement is the second bombshell to hit Iowa state politics this year, with the unexpected announcement in April by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds that she would not seek reelection next year.

Ernst has weathered fierce criticism this year from both within and outside of her party.

The first came in December when Ernst — a combat veteran — initially hedged on whether she would vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as U.S. Secretary of Defense. She expressed reservations about Hegseth, who had said he opposed women serving in combat, but backed down after getting pressure from hard-right Trump supporters.

The second came at a May town hall where Ernst was roasted by critics of potential cuts in Medicaid benefits. She ignited a firestorm on social media when she said, in response to a statement from a member of the audience that people would die, “Well, we all are going to die.”

Ernst won her first election to the U.S. Senate replacing longtime Democrat Tom Harkin after he retired. Before being elected to the Senate, Ernst served two terms in the Iowa State Senate and served as a county auditor before that. Ernst, an Iraq War veteran, served in the Iowa Army National Guard for 23 years and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Iowa’s senior senator, Chuck Grassley, 91, who has served in the Senate for 44 years, has not announced his plans when his term expires in 2029.

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