Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa is expected to announce her decision not to seek re-election next year, according to multiple news reports. CBS News first reported that Ernst, 55, informed confidantes of her intention to step down, with an announcement anticipated next week. Her office and campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Ernst, the first woman to represent Iowa in the US Senate, was elected in 2014. Her retirement would open a competitive seat in the battle for Senate control, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority. Nonpartisan analysts favor Republicans to retain control, despite historical trends that the president's party loses ground in midterms.
Ernst faced backlash earlier this year after dismissing voter concerns over Medicaid cuts in the Republican immigration and tax package, telling a town hall: “We all are going to die.” She later apologised for the remark. She also drew criticism from Trump supporters for initially expressing reservations about Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, before ultimately voting to confirm him.
Ernst would be the fourth Republican senator to not seek re-election, following Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Of the 22 Republican seats up for election next year, only North Carolina is rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report, which had ranked Ernst's seat as “likely” Republican.
Democrats celebrated the news, with at least five Democratic candidates already announced for the seat. Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, said: “Joni Ernst is retiring because she knows that Iowans are furious at her and Washington Republicans for threatening our healthcare and spiking costs for families.”
