Iowa (RI) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has reportedly told confidants she will not run for re-election — a decision that would put the national spotlight on Iowa’s 2026 US Senate race.
Ernst, who is 55, was first elected to the Senate in 2014 and won re-election in 2020. Social media posts indicate Ernst may not be in the United States right now. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on X that he met in his office in Israel with Ernst on Monday. On Wednesday, Ernst’s U.S. Senate account on X featured a photo of Ernst with Iowa National Guard soldiers who’ve been deployed to Qatar and yesterday, there was a photo of Ernst in Iran.
At least five Democrats and two Republicans have previously announced they’re running for Ernst’s U.S. Senate seat. Matt Whitaker, President Trump’s NATO Ambassador, ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014 and national media outlets are now reporting he’s considering the 2026 race. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson — mentioned often as a likely candidate should Ernst step aside — held a fundraiser last Saturday and she pledged to fight alongside Trump on a variety of fronts.
Ernst’s announcement is expected next Thursday.
Iowa has not had an open U.S. Senate race since 2014 when Democrat Tom Harkin announced he would not seek reelection. 1968 is the last time Iowa had open races for the U.S. Senate AND governor.
