U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst will not seek reelection in 2026, according to two people familiar with her decision, setting off a massive upheaval in one of Iowa's marquee midterm contests. Speculation has swirled for months around Ernst's intentions as the senator delayed announcing a formal reelection campaign, despite hiring a campaign manager in June and scheduling her annual Roast and Ride fundraiser for October. When first seeking the office in 2014, she promised to serve just two terms in the Senate — a pledge that both Republican and Democratic challengers have sought to use against her this year as she moved toward running for a third term. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #Iowa #IApolitics #Elections