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.

It's the second time Iowa's political landscape has been upended by a retirement this year, after Gov. Kim Reynolds announced in April that she would not seek another term as governor .

Ernst's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Ernst was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and is serving her second term. She is the first woman elected to Congress from

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