WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak serving her second term, confirmed Tuesday that she will not run for re-election. Ernst explained her decision in a video.

“My fellow Iowans, serving as your United States senator is the privilege of a lifetime,” Ernst’s video announcement began.

“...from growing up and working on my family’s farm in rural southwest Iowa to more than two decades of leadership in the US Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard, where I deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to my work as montgomery county auditor state senator...and now as your United States Senator,” the video continued, “it has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service of our great state and country, having been raised in a family who has given me so

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