Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst will not seek a third term in the Senate in 2026, she announced in a video message.

"After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026," Ernst, a Republican, said in a video message.

Sources familiar with Ernst's decision said Aug. 29 that she was not expected to run again, but her video message is the first formal confirmation of her decision.

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 Iowa and the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate.

The former state senator served in the Iowa Army National Guard for 23 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

"This was no easy decision," Ernst said in the video. "I love my sta

See Full Page