Joni Ernst Announces 2026 Senate Reelection Withdrawal

Decision to Not Seek Reelection

• 🎙️ Senator Joni Ernst announced in a video that she will not be seeking reelection to the Senate in 2026.
• 🙏 The decision followed a significant amount of prayer and reflection, acknowledging it was not easy.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ernst cited her aging and growing family as a reason, stating it is her time to give back to them.

Reflections on Service

• 🇺🇸 Ernst expressed that serving as a United States Senator has been the privilege of a lifetime.
• 🌾 Her journey began on a family farm in rural Iowa, leading to over two decades of service in the US Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard, including a deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• 🏛️ She also highlighted her previous roles as Montgomery County Auditor and State Senator.

Accomplishments and Future Outlook

• 🎯 Ernst stated that she is proud of her work in the Senate, aiming to make Washington "squeal" as elected 11 years ago as the first female combat veteran in the US Senate.
• 💰 Key accomplishments mentioned include cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, reigning in regulations, protecting the unborn, preventing violence against women, supporting farmers, families, and small businesses, honoring veterans, and strengthening the military.
• 🏍️ Despite ending her elected service chapter, Ernst emphasized she is not slowing down and will continue to fight for Iowans' voices to be heard until the end of her term, and will always find ways to serve her community, state, and country.