JUST IN: GOP Lawmaker Officially Announces Major Switch-Up Against Trump’s Wishes

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernest (R-IA) announced on Tuesday that she will not be seeking re-election in the 2026 midterm elections, despite the Trump administration wanting her to give it another go in the coming year. Reports claiming Ernst was opting not to run first surfaced last week when two individuals aware of her decision informed POLITICO about a potential Senate seat in a red state opening up.

Ernst’s decision not to run comes as a major blow to the battle plan that Republicans had cooked up for the midterm elections. And Democrats are already salivating at the possibility of flipping such an important seat in the upper chamber of Congress.

However, it’s essential to note that Democrats will still face an uphill battle in the Iowa Senate election. Experts say it’s a long shot for Democrats to gain the seat, as President Donald Trump won the state by 13 points in the 2024 presidential election.

According to WTOP, “Ernst’s departure opens up a Senate seat in the state known for its long-serving incumbents. Ernst was first elected in 2014 to the open seat previously held by Tom Harkin, a Democrat who served for 30 years. Republican Chuck Grassley, Iowa’s senior U.S. senator, was first elected to the Senate in 1980.”

My message to Iowans: pic.twitter.com/K6mHG6bSuE

— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) September 2, 2025

Several Democrats who are vying for the party nomination for Ernst’s seat include state Sen. Zack Wahls, state Rep. Josh Turek, Chair of the Des Moines School Board Jackie Norris, and former Chamber of Commerce President Nathan Sage.

There are currently two members of the GOP who are vying to replace Ernst: former state Sen. Jim Carlin and veteran Joshua Smith.

Ernst was the first woman elected to Congress in Iowa and is also a veteran of the Iraq War. She retired from the Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. The Iowa Republican served in GOP leadership for a number of years and was even considered as a top contender for Trump’s vice presidential pick during his first campaign.

However, in recent years, Ernst has faced enormous pressure from individuals on both sides of the political spectrum. After hesitating to lend support to one of the president’s Cabinet choices, Republicans gave her some serious heat.