2026 United States Senate election in Iowa
The2026 United States Senate election in Iowa will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of theUnited States Senate to represent the state ofIowa .Primary elections will be held on June 2, 2026. Two-termRepublican Joni Ernst , who wasre-elected in 2020 with 51.8% of the vote, declined to seek reelection to a third term.[ 1]
Since voting forPresident Barack Obama in both2008 and2012 , Iowa has trended increasingly Republican and is now considered a moderately to stronglyred state at the federal and state level. Republican nomineeDonald Trump won Iowa in2020 by 8 percentage points, and in2024 grew his margin to 13 percentage points. Republicans control every statewide executive office (except thestate auditor's office ), majorities in both chambers of thestate legislature , and the entire congressional delegation.[ 2]
Senator Joni Ernst was first elected in the red wave of2014 , defeating U.S. RepresentativeBruce Braley by about 8 percentage points. She was re-elected in2020 defeatingTheresa Greenfield by 6.5 percentage points in what was expected to be a dead heat.[ 3] [ 4]
In May 2025, Ernst sparked controversy after replying to a constituent upset by thousands of preventable deaths resulting from Medicaid cuts in theOne Big Beautiful Bill Act by responding, "Well, we all are going to die" during a town hall in north-central Iowa.[ 5] [ 6]
Ashley Hinson
Executive branch officials U.S. senators Joni Ernst ,Iowa (2015–present)[ 21] Jim Banks ,Indiana (2025–present)[ 22] Katie Britt ,Alabama (2023–present)[ 22] Tom Cotton ,Arkansas (2013–present)[ 23] Markwayne Mullin ,Oklahoma (2023–present)[ 22] Tim Scott ,South Carolina (2013–present)[ 23] John Thune ,Senate Majority Leader (2025–present) fromSouth Dakota (2005–present)[ 23] Jerry Moran ,Kansas (2011–present)[ 23] Shelley Moore Capito ,West Virginia (2015–present)[ 23] Dave McCormick ,Pennsylvania (2025–present)[ 23] U.S. representatives Statewide officials State legislators Organizations Italics indicate a declined candidate.
Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Jim Carlin (R) $170,893 $169,165 $1,728 Ashley Hinson (R) $4,892,227 $1,650,040 $5,170,263 Source:Federal Election Commission [ 30]
Hypothetical polling
Joni Ernst vs. "Someone Else"
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Joni Someone Undecided Victory Insights (R)[ 31] December 6–7, 2024 600 (LV) – 48% 27% 26%
Nathan Sage
Executive branch officials Josh Turek
U.S. representatives Statewide officials State legislators Local officials Organizations Zach Wahls
U.S. representatives Statewide officials State legislators Liz Bennett ,state senator from the39th district (2023–present)[ 48] Matt Blake ,state senator from the22nd district (2025–present)[ 48] Ken Croken ,state representative from the97th district (2023–present)[ 48] Daniel Gosa ,state representative from the81st district (2025–present)[ 48] David Jacoby ,state representative from the86th district (2003–present)[ 44] Izaah Knox ,state senator from the17th district (2023–present)[ 48] Jean Hall Lloyd-Jones , formerstate senator from the23rd district (1987–1995)[ 48] Jim Lykam , formerstate senator from the45th district (2017–2023)[ 48] Liz Mathis , formerstate senator from the34th district (2011–2023)[ 48] Richard Myers , formerstate representative from the30th district (1994–2003)[ 48] Notable individuals Labor unions Organizations Jackie Norris (withdrawn)
Statewide officials State legislators Local officials Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Nathan Sage (D) $1,349,828 $1,263,488 $86,339 Josh Turek (D) $1,686,398 $1,287,925 $398,474 Zach Wahls (D) $2,045,589 $1,312,108 $733,481 Source:Federal Election Commission [ 30]
Libertarian primary [ edit ] Hypothetical polling
Joni Ernst vs. Jackie Norris
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Joni Jackie Undecided Public Policy Polling (D)[ 61] [ A] August 18–19, 2025 572 (V) ± 4.1% 45% 42% 13%
Joni Ernst vs. Nathan Sage
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Joni Nathan Undecided Public Policy Polling (D)[ 61] [ A] August 18–19, 2025 572 (V) ± 4.1% 45% 41% 14%
Joni Ernst vs. Josh Turek
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Joni Josh Undecided Public Policy Polling (D)[ 61] [ A] August 18–19, 2025 572 (V) ± 4.1% 45% 41% 14%
Joni Ernst vs. Zach Wahls
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Joni Zach Undecided Public Policy Polling (D)[ 61] [ A] August 18–19, 2025 572 (V) ± 4.1% 43% 42% 15%
Joni Ernst vs. Generic Democrat
^a b c d e f Key: ^ Jerome Amos Jr. ,state representative from the62nd district (2023–present)[ 44] Austin Baeth ,state representative from the36th district (2023–present)[ 44] Sean Bagniewski ,state representative from the35th district (2023–present)[ 44] Timi Brown-Powers ,state representative from the61st district (2015–present)[ 44] Sue Cahill , formerstate representative from the52nd district (2021–2025)[ 44] John Forbes , formerstate representative from the44th district (2013–2025)[ 44] Ruth Ann Gaines ,state representative from the33rd district (2011–present)[ 44] Charles Isenhart , formerstate representative from the72nd district (2009–2025)[ 44] Monica Kurth ,state representative from the98th district (2023–present)[ 44] Mary Madison ,state representative from the31st district (2023–present)[ 44] Larry McBurney ,state representative from the44th district (2025–present)[ 44] Charlie McConkey , formerstate representative from the15th district (2015–2023)[ 44] Amy Nielsen ,state representative from the85th district (2017–present)[ 44] Kirsten Running-Marquardt ,Linn County supervisor (2023–present) and formerstate representative from the69th district (2009–2023)[ 44] Sami Scheetz ,Linn County supervisor (2025–present) and formerstate representative from the78th district (2023–2025)[ 44] J. D. Scholten ,state representative from the1st district (2023–present)[ 38] Mark Smith , formerstate representative from the71st district (2001–2021) and former chair ofIowa Democratic Party (2020–2021)[ 44] Sharon Steckman , formerstate representative from the59th district (2009–2025)[ 44] Elizabeth Wilson ,state representative from the73rd district (2023–present)[ 44] Adam Zabner ,state representative from the90th district (2023–present)[ 44] Partisan clients
^a b c d Poll sponsored by Wahls's campaign ^ Poll sponsored by Senate Majority PAC, which supports Democratic candidates ^a b Jacobs, Jennifer (September 2, 2025)."Joni Ernst announces retirement from Senate in 2026, pledges ongoing community involvement" .KGAN . RetrievedSeptember 2, 2025 . ^ Ta, Linh (November 6, 2024)."Iowa remains solidly Republican" .Axios . RetrievedDecember 13, 2024 . ^ Barrett, Ted (November 5, 2014)."Joni Ernst wins Iowa Senate race" .CNN . RetrievedDecember 13, 2024 . ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (November 2, 2020)." .The Des Moines Register . RetrievedDecember 13, 2024 . ^ "MSN" .www.msn.com . RetrievedJune 3, 2025 .^ https://www.npr.org/2025/05/31/nx-s1-5418932/we-all-are-going-to-die-ernst-joni-town-hall-iowa-senator ^ Hayworth, Bret (April 16, 2025)."Iowa politics: Republican Jim Carlin announces U.S. Senate campaign" .KCCI . RetrievedSeptember 3, 2025 . ^ Richards, Zoë (September 2, 2025)."GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson announces Senate bid for open Iowa seat" .NBC News . RetrievedSeptember 2, 2025 . ^ Belin, Laura (December 9, 2024)."Joshua Smith to challenge Joni Ernst in GOP primary" .Bleeding Heartland . RetrievedDecember 10, 2024 . ^ "BERMAN, JOHN - Candidate overview" .FEC.gov . January 1, 2019. RetrievedMay 16, 2025 .^ Bowman, Bridget; Kamisar, Ben; Allen, Jonathan; Welker, Kristin (August 29, 2025)."Republican Sen. Joni Ernst won't seek re-election in Iowa in 2026" .NBC News . RetrievedAugust 29, 2025 . ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (September 8, 2025)."Morning Digest: Kansas Republicans want to gerrymander. They have a few problems" .The Downballot . RetrievedSeptember 8, 2025 . ^ Geer, Caleb (January 10, 2026)."Sen. Joni Ernst, additional Iowa Republicans endorse Rep. Ashley Hinson for US Senate" .weareiowa.com . RetrievedJanuary 12, 2026 . ^ Pfannenstiel, Sabine Martin and Brianne (January 27, 2025)."Donald Trump supporter Kari Lake postpones Iowa homecoming for MAGA event" .The Des Moines Register . RetrievedFebruary 1, 2025 .Speculation swirled among MAGA-minded Republicans in Iowa who suggested on social media that Lake would be a strong potential primary challenger to Ernst...Lake's spokesperson Alex Nicoll told The Arizona Republic after news of the event that she's not planning to be a political candidate. ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (September 3, 2025)."Morning Digest: How Democrats can fight back against the Missouri GOP's new gerrymander" .The Downballot . RetrievedSeptember 3, 2025 . ^a b Pfannenstiel, Brianne (September 2, 2025)."Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson announces 2026 US Senate campaign" .The Des Moines Register . RetrievedSeptember 4, 2025 . ^a b c d "Former AG Tom Miller endorses Josh Turek in Iowa's Democratic Senate primary" .The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier the original on September 9, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 9, 2025 .^ Belin, Laura (September 7, 2025)."Ashley Hinson's Senate rollout: Short-term success, long-term risks" .Bleeding Heartland . RetrievedSeptember 7, 2025 . ^a b "U.S. Senate election endorsements" .Ballotpedia . RetrievedOctober 24, 2025 .^ Fields, Ashleigh (September 5, 2025)."Trump endorses Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate race" .The Hill . RetrievedSeptember 6, 2025 . ^ Gruber-Miller, Stephen."Incumbent Joni Ernst endorses Ashley Hinson to succeed her in US Senate" .The Des Moines Register . RetrievedJanuary 12, 2026 . ^a b c d e f g Steinhauser, Paul (September 2, 2025)."Republican rising star Ashley Hinson announces Senate bid in race to succeed Iowa's Ernst" .Fox News . RetrievedSeptember 3, 2025 . ^a b c d e f Markus, Nicole (September 5, 2025)."Republicans move quickly to support Ashley Hinson's Senate bid" .Politico . RetrievedSeptember 5, 2025 . ^ "U.S. Senate election endorsements" .Ballotpedia . RetrievedOctober 31, 2025 .^ "Gov. Kim Reynolds endorses Rep. Ashley Hinson for US Senate" .WQAD . January 29, 2026. RetrievedJanuary 30, 2026 .^ "Sen. Joni Ernst, additional Iowa Republicans endorse Rep. Ashley Hinson for US Senate" .WeAreIowa . January 10, 2026. RetrievedJanuary 12, 2026 .^ "2026 GOP Clean Energy Leaders" .ClearPath Action Fund . RetrievedJanuary 28, 2026 .^ "Maggie's List Endorses Hinson in Iowa, Noveletsky in New Hampshire" .maggieslist.org . October 3, 2025. RetrievedOctober 24, 2025 .^ "22 Republicans endorsed by LGBT organization: Full list of names" .Newsweek . February 3, 2026. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2026 .^a b c "2026 Election United States Senate - Iowa" .fec.gov .Federal Election Commission . RetrievedApril 23, 2025 .^ "NEW POLL: Less Than Half of Iowa Republicans Support Joni Ernst for US Senate in 2026" (PDF) .Victory Insights . December 9, 2024. RetrievedApril 29, 2025 .^ "Bob Krause announces candidacy for U.S. Senate, endorses Bohannan in House race" .KGAN . September 2, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 2, 2025 .^ Smith, Allan (April 16, 2025)."Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst gets her first Democratic challenger for 2026" .NBC News . RetrievedApril 16, 2025 . ^ Henderson, O. Kay (October 13, 2025)."Coralville Democrat says he'll run for US Senate in 2026" .Radio Iowa . RetrievedOctober 15, 2025 . ^ Opsahl, Robin (August 12, 2025)."Iowa Rep. Josh Turek, two-time Paralympian, launches campaign for U.S. Senate" .KCCI . RetrievedAugust 15, 2025 . ^ Koons, Cami (June 11, 2025)."Democrat Zach Wahls announces bid for U.S. Senate" .Iowa Capital Dispatch . RetrievedJune 11, 2025 . ^ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (October 16, 2025)."DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris ends US Senate campaign after superintendent arrest" .The Des Moines Register the original on October 16, 2025. RetrievedOctober 16, 2025 . ^a b Gruber-Miller, Stephen (August 18, 2025)."Democrat J.D. Scholten drops out of Iowa's 2026 US Senate race and endorses Josh Turek" .The Des Moines Register the original on August 18, 2025. RetrievedAugust 18, 2025 . ^ Tallal, Skylar (May 12, 2025)."Iowa Auditor Rob Sand announces 2026 gubernatorial run" .KGAN . RetrievedMay 12, 2025 . ^ Reich, Robert (September 11, 2025)."Democrats should forget about appealing to some mythical center - The Boston Globe" .BostonGlobe.com . RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025 .If it's to have a future, the Democratic Party must not only condemn Trumpism but explain why so many Americans are struggling and offer a credible path for most people to share in the nation's prosperity. That means forgetting about moving to the so-called center and instead embracing the passion, energy, youth, and big ideas of young Democrats like Zohran Mamdani in New York City and Senate candidates such as Graham Platner in Maine, Dan Osborn in Nebraska, Mallory McMorrow in Michigan, and Nathan Sage in Iowa. ^ Lehrich, Jesse (December 5, 2025)."the new politics of endorsements" .Nobody's Listening . ^a b c Opsahl, Robin (November 18, 2025)."Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Zach Wahls, Josh Turek tout new endorsements • Iowa Capital Dispatch" .Iowa Capital Dispatch . RetrievedNovember 28, 2025 . ^a b "Charlie Kirk's group endorses Joe Mitchell in Iowa Republican Congressional primary" .The Gazette . RetrievedDecember 8, 2025 .^a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Price, Dave (September 3, 2025)."Challengers tout endorsements amid major Iowa race shakeup" .KWQC . RetrievedSeptember 10, 2025 . ^ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (October 28, 2025)."Democratic US Senate hopeful Josh Turek warns of 'farmageddon' driven by 'chaotic' tariffs" .Des Moines Register . RetrievedNovember 4, 2025 .Turek was joined on the call with Dave Muhlbauer, a Crawford County supervisor and former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate who has endorsed his campaign. ^a b Opsahl, Robin (December 3, 2025)."Iowa Rep. Josh Turek, Sen. Zach Wahls receive union endorsements in U.S. Senate Democratic primary" .KCRG . RetrievedDecember 4, 2025 . ^ "Campaign Almanac: Labor union backs Josh Turek for U.S. Senate in Iowa" . RetrievedJanuary 7, 2026 .^a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Campaign Almanac: Iowa Democrat Wahls announces slate of endorsements for Senate campaign" .The Gazette . RetrievedAugust 29, 2025 .^a b "Jason Kander, labor group endorse Zach Wahls for U.S. Senate" .Globe Gazette . RetrievedNovember 16, 2025 .^ "Former governor candidate Hubbell endorses Wahls in Iowa's Democratic Senate primary" .Sioux City Journal . RetrievedFebruary 5, 2026 .^a b "Campaign Almanac: Iowa construction union backs Summit pipeline, Senate GOP eminent domain bill" .The Gazette . January 30, 2026. RetrievedJanuary 31, 2026 .^ Woolard, Megan (August 18, 2025)."Wahls makes labor core tenet of U.S. Senate campaign" .The Gazette . RetrievedSeptember 10, 2025 . ^ "Campaign Almanac: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan endorses Joe Mitchell in Eastern Iowa Republican primary" .The Gazette Archived . RetrievedNovember 25, 2025 .^a b c d e Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau (September 15, 2025)."Campaign Almanac: Elections forecaster shifts Iowa U.S. House race toward Democrats as race takes shape" .The Gazette . RetrievedSeptember 18, 2025 . ^ "Zach Wahls" .Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs .^ Foix, Chase (April 21, 2025)."US Senate hopeful speaks to Rotary Club of Sioux City" .KCAU-TV . RetrievedAugust 7, 2025 . ^ "Senate Ratings" .Inside Elections . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2025 .^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings" .Cook Political Report . RetrievedFebruary 11, 2025 .^ "2026 Senate ratings" .Sabato's Crystal Ball . RetrievedFebruary 13, 2025 .^ "2026 Senate Forecast" .Race to the WH . RetrievedMarch 19, 2025 .^a b c d Plascencia, Cesar (August 22, 2025)."Democrat Zach Wahls Performs Best Against Ernst in Potential Senate Matchups" .Public Policy Polling . RetrievedAugust 25, 2025 . ^ "Joni Ernst Unpopular, May Face Tough Reelection" .Public Policy Polling . RetrievedJune 4, 2025 .^ "Iowa Survey Results" (PDF) .Public Policy Polling . RetrievedJune 4, 2025 .Official campaign websites
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