Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa is reportedly stepping away from the U.S. Senate after two hard-fought terms.
CBS News reported that, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter, Ernst, a steadfast conservative voice since 2015, plans to announce next week that she won’t seek reelection in 2026, marking the end of her tenure and joining a growing list of GOP senators exiting the chamber.
Born and raised in rural southwestern Iowa, Ernst graduated from Iowa State University before dedicating years to serving her country in the Army Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after deployments in Kuwait and Iraq.
Her journey from local government to the Iowa statehouse paved the way for her successful 2014 run for an open Senate seat. She’s been a consistent supporter of President Trump’s agenda ever since.
Ernst didn’t just sit on the sidelines—she climbed to the No. 3 spot in the Republican conference, wielding influence and championing policies that resonate with heartland values over progressive overreach.
Her loyalty to a common-sense agenda made her a standout, even catching Trump’s eye for a potential vice presidential slot in 2016, though she ultimately stepped back from consideration.
For months, Ernst has dodged questions about a third term, keeping her cards close to the chest. Now, sources say she’s ready to call it after two terms, believing she’s achieved her goals and eyeing a shift to the private sector. That’s a principled stance—knowing when to pass the torch instead of clinging to power.
The announcement is slated for Thursday, though her spokespeople have stayed silent on the matter despite outreach. Meanwhile, White House officials reportedly hoped she’d stick around, especially as other GOP heavyweights like Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky also plan to depart.
Adding to the shuffle, Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has thrown her hat in the ring for governor, though her Senate term runs until 2030. The GOP is facing a roster shake-up, and Ernst’s exit only sharpens the challenge of maintaining a strong conservative front against an emboldened progressive agenda.
On the other side of the aisle, Iowa Democrats are already lining up to snag Ernst’s seat, with names like state Sen. Zach Wahls, state Rep. Josh Turek, and Des Moines School Board chairwoman Jackie Norris entering the fray. It’s clear they smell an opportunity, but underestimating Iowa’s red roots would be a rookie mistake.
Ernst herself seemed ready for the fight not long ago, telling attendees at a Westside Conservative Club meeting, “Every day we get a new Democratic member of the House or Senate that decides to run for this Senate seat—bring it on.”
That’s vintage Ernst—unafraid to stand her ground. But if she’s stepping away, one wonders if that fire will carry into her final months or inspire the next generation of conservatives.
She doubled down at the same meeting, declaring, “Bring it on, folks.” It’s a rallying cry for Iowa Republicans, a reminder that the state’s values aren’t up for grabs just because the opposition is circling. Yet, with her exit on the horizon, the question looms: Who will pick up that mantle?
Ernst’s record speaks for itself—decades of service, from the battlefields of Iraq to the halls of Congress, all rooted in a deep commitment to Iowa’s way of life. Her decision to limit herself to two terms, as shared with close associates, reflects a rare humility in politics, a belief that fresh voices deserve a shot.
Critics might argue she’s leaving at a critical time, with the culture wars raging and conservative principles under siege from a relentless woke wave.
But Ernst has earned the right to chart her own path, and if the private sector is her next frontier, she’ll likely bring the same grit that defined her Senate career.
For Iowa voters, Ernst’s departure signals a pivotal moment—a chance to either reinforce the state’s conservative bedrock or risk a shift toward policies that clash with traditional values. The Democratic contenders will push hard, no doubt peddling promises of change that often mean more government overreach.
Yet, as Ernst herself hinted, Iowa’s heart beats red, and any challenger will face an uphill battle against an electorate wary of progressive experiments. Her legacy as a warrior for limited government and personal freedom sets a high bar for whoever steps into the ring next.