CEDAR RAPIDS — Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson wasted little time announcing her candidacy for U.S. Senate on Tuesday mere hours after Sen. Joni Ernst published a video announcing she will not seek re-election.

Hinson had been planning to run for re-election in eastern Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, but had long been seen as a likely candidate for the Senate if either of Iowa’s seats came open.

Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak and the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, said in a video that she is stepping aside to devote more time to her family “after a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection” — creating a domino effect in Iowa Republican politics.

Within four hours, Hinson formally announced her campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2026, vowing to be former Preside

See Full Page