U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced Tuesday she will not seek reelection in 2026. Ernst made the announcement in a video posted on YouTube, citing her growing and aging family as the reason for her decision.
Shortly after the announcement, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley released a statement praising his colleague. “It has been an honor to serve Iowans alongside my friend and colleague, Joni Ernst, since Iowans elected her in 2014,” Grassley said. “Joni is a valued partner in the Senate, and I look forward to working together on issues important to Iowans throughout the remainder of her term.”
Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, was elected in 2014 after serving in the Iowa Senate from 2011 to 2014.
You can see Sen. Ernst video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb9FWd-0Y08.
Sen. Grassley’s full press release can be found here https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-statement-on-ernst-announcement
