Democratic Iowa U.S. Senate candidates make their pitches during annual party fundraiser

MAYA MARCHEL HOFF

CLEAR LAKE - Iowa’s crowded field of Democrats running for U.S. Senate in 2026 pitched themselves and their campaigns to an audience of party members as they gear up for next year’s primary.

At the Iowa Democratic Party’s annual fundraiser, dubbed the “Wing Ding,” at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, all five Democrats vying to run for the seat held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst shared their personal background, platforms and took jabs at Ernst along the way.

While the group comes from different corners of the state and places themselves across the ideological spectrum, they all agreed on one thing: Ernst needs to leave Congress.

“Rural hospitals and clinics across our state are going to close because of these Medicaid cuts. Utility bills are going up. The rich are get