Senator Joni Ernst, Iowa’s first female combat veteran in the U.S. Senate, has officially announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, ending years of speculation about her political future. Her decision marks a turning point for the state’s Republican Party, drawing cheers from some MAGA-aligned conservatives who long criticized her as a “Republican In Name Only.”
Ernst delivered her announcement in a heartfelt video, reflecting on her decades of public service. “Serving as your United States Senator has been the honor of my life,” she said. “From working on my family’s farm to serving over two decades in the Army Reserves and Iowa National Guard, and now in the Senate, I’ve been blessed to dedicate my life to our state and our country.”
While moderates praised her dedication and pragmatic approach, her departure was met with celebration among populist conservatives who saw her attempts at bipartisanship as a betrayal of core GOP values. Over the years, Ernst faced increasing scrutiny for opposing certain Trump-era initiatives, including a rumored cabinet nomination for conservative media figure Pete Hegseth, which drew sharp backlash from hardline voters.
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