Sen. Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Reelection in 2026

The Iowa Republican lawmaker, who first won her seat in the upper chamber of Congress in 2014, said it ‘was no easy decision.’

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) speaks during a press conference following the Senate Republican weekly policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9, 2024. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced on Sept. 2 that she will not run for reelection in 2026.

“My fellow Iowans, serving as your United States senator is the privilege of a lifetime, from growing up and working on my family’s farm in rural southwest Iowa to more than two decades of leadership in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard, where I deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to my work as Montgomery County auditor, state senator, and now as your United States Senator,” she said in a video posted on X.

“It has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service of our great state and country, having been raised in a family who has given me so much love and support. Now, as our family ages and grows, it’s my time for me to give back to them,” she continued.

“After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026.”

Ernst was first elected to the Senate in 2014, defeating Democrat Bruce Braley and succeeding longtime Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). She won reelection in 2020, defeating Democrat Theresa Greenfield. She previously served in the Iowa state Senate between January 2011 and November 2014.

Ernst said her decision to retire “was no easy decision,” and expressed no regrets about her time in office.

“We’ve cut waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government, and reined in overburdensome rules and regulations,” she said. “We protected the lives of the unborn, prevented violence against women, supported our hard working farmers, families and small businesses, honored and fought for our fellow veterans and strengthened our military and the brave men and women who choose to serve.”

Ernst said she has more work ahead of her in her remaining time in office.

“As a proud Harley rider, you can rest assured, I’m not slowing down any time soon,” she said. “There is still so much to accomplish before the end of my term, and I'll keep fighting every single day, as I always have, to make Iowans’ voices heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress.”

Ernst came under fire for initially expressing reluctance over the nomination of Pete Hegseth for defense secretary. She eventually came around and supported his nomination.

“After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense,” she said in a Jan. 14 statement. “Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.

“As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks.”

Combating sexual assault in the military has been a priority for Ernst, who said she is a survivor of rape and domestic violence.