DES MOINES, Iowa —

A former Iowa state senator announced Friday he is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

Republican Jim Carlin served in the Iowa Senate from 2017 until 2023 .

Since leaving the Iowa Senate, Carlin founded the Iowa Liberty Network to help recruit constitutional, conservative candidates to the Iowa Legislature.

Ernst has held the U.S. Senate seat since 2015. She has not formally announced a 2026 reelection campaign but has hired a campaign manager , seemingly confirming her plans for the 2026 election.

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