Joni Ernst, a two-term Republican senator and combat veteran from Iowa, will not seek reelection in 2026. She has informed confidantes and plans a public announcement next week. Ernst initially expressed hesitation about Pete Hegseth's nomination for secretary of defense because of allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse. She later provided support after pressure from allies of Donald Trump, a sequence that reportedly made her life extremely uncomfortable. Ernst's decision removes a key swing-state Republican from the 2026 landscape and is likely to trigger a competitive GOP primary and a contested general election for the seat.
(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images) A key swing state Republican senator will not seek re-election in 2026, according to CBS News. CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs reported on X Friday, Iowa's Joni Ernst has told confidantes she plans to reveal next week that she won't seek reelection in 2026, Iowa's Joni Ernst has told confidantes she plans to reveal next week that she won't seek reelection in 2026, sources familiar with the matter told @CBSNews.
Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) August 29, 2025 Ernst, a combat veteran who has served two terms in the Senate, initially expressed doubts about Pete Hegseth's nomination to serve as secretary of defense due to allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse. She eventually gave her support following a pressure campaign from allies of Donald Trump that made her life extremely uncomfortable, according to Politico.
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