Grace Panetta

Political reporter

Published

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GOP Sen. Joni Ernst’s retirement has opened up a U.S. Senate race in Iowa, a race Democrats see as a long-shot pickup opportunity in 2026.

Ernst, first elected in 2014, announced on September 2 that she would not seek a third term in 2026, citing wanting to spend more time with family. Ernst, who joins a growing number of U.S. senators heading for the exits, has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum this year. She received immense pressure from the right to vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which she ultimately did despite early reservations. She was also slammed by Democrats for saying that “we are all going to die” in defending cuts to Medicaid in Republicans’

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