U.S Senator Joni Ernst has officially announced that she is not seeking re-election for the Iowa Senate position in 2026. Ernst was elected to the United States Senate in 2014, being the first woman from Iowa to hold a federal elected office seat and the first female combat veteran to serve the Senate. Ernst says this wasn’t an easy decision, but after some prayer and reflection over her aging and growing family, she says its time to focus on them.
Ernst says when she was elected, her goal was to make Washington “squeal,” which she says was accomplished.
Ernst says there is still plenty of work to do, and that she will fight every day to ensure Iowan’s voices are heard in the halls of Congress. U.S Senator Chuck Grassley reflected on his time with Ernst during his Capitol Hill Report with Iowa reporters today (Tuesday).
When asked on how he sees the upcoming election with the open Senate seat, Grassley says it is just best to wait and see.
Currently, four democrats and two republicans have formally announced campaigns to run for the senate seat. Echoing Grassley’s sentiment on Ernst’s announcement, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says “Joni is a dear friend who cares deeply about serving her fellow Iowans. Her years of dedicated public services in country, state, and federal government, as well as her distinguished military career are a testament to her dedication to Iowa and our great country. Joni will be missed in Congress, and Kevin and I wish her and her family the best in this next chapter.” Other Iowa officials, such as Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig thanks Ernst for her work in expanding markets for biofuels, supporting rural small businesses, and fighting federal regulations, while State Treasurer Roby Smith says they were both sworn into the Legislature together in 2011, and watched her lead with a commitment to veterans, families, and rural communities making a lasting impact.
