Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst plans to announce that she will not run for reelection in 2026, a senior Republican official familiar with her decision told ABC News. Ernst was first elected to the Senate in 2014, becoming the first woman from Iowa to serve in the Senate and the chamber's first female combat veteran. She won a second term in 2020 by 6 percentage points. Ernst's office did not respond to a request for comment from ABC News. Her decision to not seek a third term was first reported by CBS News . Ernst's decision could prompt a fierce Senate race -- though at least one candidate is already eyeing Ernst's spot. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) is planning to announce a run for the soon-to-be-open Senate seat, according to the same senior GOP source. Ernst has served as Iowa's junior

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