Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa just dropped a political bombshell by declaring she won’t seek re-election in the 2026 midterms.
According to Fox News, Ernst, a trailblazer as the first female veteran in the U.S. Senate, has decided to step away after a storied career, leaving an open seat in a state that’s increasingly leaning red and shaking up the political landscape.
Let’s rewind a bit to understand how we got here. Eleven years ago, Ernst burst onto the national scene with a memorable campaign ad that promised to make Washington “squeal”—a pledge she claims to have kept by slashing federal waste.
Back then, she was a retired Reserve and Iowa National Guard veteran, capturing hearts with her no-nonsense approach and a mission to uproot entrenched bureaucracy. Her election made history, and she’s since been a staunch advocate on military issues, drawing from her personal experiences, including surviving sexual assault.
Fast forward to now, and Ernst has been mulling this decision for months, wrestling with whether to run again in 2026. “This was no easy decision,” she admitted in a recent video announcement, signaling the weight of stepping away from a role she’s poured her heart into.
But let’s be real—her reasoning tugs at the heartstrings. “Having been raised in a family that has given me so much love and support, now as our family ages and grows, it’s my time to get back to,” Ernst explained. It’s hard not to respect a leader prioritizing family over the relentless grind of politics, even if it leaves conservatives in Iowa scrambling.
Ernst isn’t bowing out quietly, though. “I’m not slowing down anytime soon,” she pledged, promising to fight tooth and nail until her term ends. That’s the kind of grit you’d expect from someone who’s been a warrior—literally and figuratively—for Iowa.
Her departure opens a coveted Senate seat in a state that’s shifted hard to the right in recent years. President Trump carried Iowa by wide margins in 2020 and last November, turning what was once a battleground into a Republican stronghold. This begs the question: Will the GOP keep its iron grip, or are there cracks in the armor?
Enter Representative Ashley Hinson, a former TV news anchor, who’s widely expected to throw her hat in the ring for Ernst’s seat. Hinson didn’t mince words on social media, praising Ernst’s “incredible service to our state and nation.” It’s a classy nod, but let’s see if she can fill those big boots in a state hungry for strong conservative leadership.
Meanwhile, Democrats are licking their chops, claiming this open seat widens their playing field. “An open seat in Iowa is just the latest example of Democrats expanding the senatorial map,” boasted Lauren French, spokesperson for a Democrat-aligned Senate Majority PAC. Nice try, but in a state where Republicans hold both Senate seats and all four congressional districts, that’s more wishful thinking than strategy.
Democrats might be feeling a spark after flipping two GOP-held state Senate seats in special elections earlier this year. But let’s not kid ourselves—Iowa isn’t exactly a progressive playground, and banking on a fluke to turn the tide might be their biggest misstep.
On the Republican side, confidence isn’t in short supply. “The NRSC is fired up and will elect a Republican to continue fighting for and championing President Trump’s agenda in 2026,” declared Senator Tim Burgl of South Carolina. That’s the kind of resolve conservatives need when the left starts dreaming of blue miracles.
Ernst herself hasn’t shied away from blunt talk over the years, once telling a voter at a town hall, “We are all going to die,” when pressed on Medicaid cuts. It’s a stark reminder of her unfiltered style—a refreshing contrast to the polished, woke rhetoric flooding politics today.
Reflecting on her tenure, Ernst proudly stated in a video, “11 years ago, they elected me as the first female veteran to the U.S. Senate… to make Washington squeal.” She’s right to tout those wins against federal overreach, even if the progressive crowd would rather ignore her record than admit she’s delivered.
As Iowa braces for a new chapter, Ernst’s exit is a bittersweet moment for conservatives who value her fight against government bloat and her advocacy for veterans. Her legacy is cemented, but the battle for her seat will test whether Iowa stays a bastion of common-sense values or gets swayed by left-leaning promises. One thing’s for sure—this race just got a whole lot spicier.
