Iowa Democrat Announces Senate Run to Unseat Republican Joni Ernst

The bid comes after Sen. Ernst’s comments about Medicaid at a town hall.

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on May 19, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Iowa state Rep. J.D. Scholten has launched a campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, citing recent comments Ernst made about Medicaid as a tipping point.

Scholten, a Democrat representing parts of Sioux City, confirmed his candidacy to multiple Iowa news outlets on Monday, just days after telling followers on social media that he was “seriously considering” challenging Ernst, who will face reelection in the 2026 midterms.