Senator Joni Ernst announced she will not seek re-election to the United States Senate. Her decision means that Iowans will be filling an open U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
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“After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking re-election in 2026,” said Joni Ernst in a social media post announcing she would not run for re-election.
Ernst was elected to the Senate in 2014, filling the seat vacated by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin. That was the last time there was an open U.S. Senate seat in Iowa.
Within hours of Ernst’s announcement, Congresswoman Ashely Hinson of the Second District announced she was running for Ernst’s seat. In a social media post, Hinson said, “I’m all in. I’m running for the United States Senate to fight alongside President Trump and deliver on the America First agenda.”
Desperate for a statewide victory, several Democrats have already announced they are running for the U.S. Senate.These include Zach Wahls and J.D. Scholten.
Iowans, known for their loyalty to incumbents, will be filling multiple statewide open seats in 2026. Governor Kim Reynolds already announced that she will not seek re-election. Congressman Randy Feenstra is running to replace her, leaving District 4 open. With Ashley Hinson throwing in her hat to replace Joni Ernst, the fourth congressional district is also wide open.
No matter what happens, the faces of Iowa politics will look very different after the election in 2026.
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