Ernst’s retirement opens up Iowa Senate race

September 10, 2025

Senator Joni Ernst's decision not to seek a third term in 2026 has created an open Senate race in Iowa, which Democrats view as a potential pickup opportunity despite the state's increasingly Republican trend. GOP Representative Ashley Hinson has already launched her campaign with endorsements from key Republican leaders, while other prominent Republicans like Attorney General Brenna Bird and former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker are being considered as potential candidates. Several Democrats have entered the race, including state Senator Zach Wahls and state Representative Josh Turek, hoping Ernst's retirement improves their chances of capturing the seat.

Who is affected

Iowa voters
The Republican and Democratic parties
Current Republican Senate majority
Potential candidates from both parties
Senator Joni Ernst and her family

What action is being taken

GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson is actively campaigning for the Senate seat
Multiple Democratic candidates (Zach Wahls, Josh Turek, Nathan Sage, and Jackie Norris) are running for the seat
Republican Senate leaders are endorsing Hinson's candidacy
Democrats are targeting the Iowa seat as part of their strategy to potentially flip the Senate in 2026

Why it matters

The race impacts the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority
Iowa has been trending Republican in recent years but Democrats see Ernst's retirement as providing a better chance to capture the seat
To regain control of the Senate in 2026, Democrats would need to hold all their current seats and flip four Republican-held seats
The outcome contributes to the broader political shift in Iowa, once a presidential battleground state that has become increasingly Republican

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th