Joni Ernst Announces She Will Not Seek Reelection In 2026

In a video released to social media, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced that she will not be seeking reelection to the Senate in 2026.

Transcript

00:00My fellow Iowans, serving as your United States Senator is the privilege of a lifetime.

00:06From growing up and working on my family's farm in rural southwest Iowa, to more than two decades

00:13of leadership in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard, where I deployed in support

00:19of Operation Iraqi Freedom, to my work as Montgomery County Auditor, State Senator,

00:25and now as your United States Senator. It has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service

00:32of our great state and country. Having been raised in a family who has given me so much love and

00:39support, now, as our family ages and grows, it's my time for me to give back to them. After a tremendous

00:48amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking re-election in 2026. This was no easy

00:56decision. I love my state and country. It's the very reason why I decided to wear our nation's

01:03uniform and run for elected office in the first place. I never imagined this farm girl would have

01:10the opportunity to serve as a lieutenant colonel and then a United States Senator. Only in America

01:17and by the grace of God. Eleven years ago, Iowans elected me as the first female combat veteran

01:24to the U.S. Senate, and they did so with a mission in mind, to make Washington squeal.

01:31And I'm proud to say we have delivered. We've cut waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government

01:38and reined in overburdensome rules and regulations. We've protected the lives of the unborn,

01:44prevented violence against women, supported our hard-working farmers, families, and small

01:51businesses, honored and fought for our fellow veterans, and strengthened our military and the

01:58brave men and women who choose to serve. As a proud Harley rider, you can rest assured I'm not slowing

02:06down anytime soon. There is still so much to accomplish before the end of my term,

02:11and I'll keep fighting every single day, as I always have, to make Iowans' voices heard loud and clear

02:19in the halls of Congress. While this chapter of elected service will soon close, I will always find

02:27ways to best serve my community, state, and these great United States of America.

02:32some happening in the U.S. guesses are highly important, which you see with such a peaceful

02:36change in history, attention, and achievement in freedom would be in

02:53part of that of assault. Number 3 is exactly the best time of colocation. And we will see the