Joni Ernst teases ‘big’ fall reelection announcement
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has indicated that she will announce her reelection plans for a third term this fall, though she has already begun preparations by hiring a campaign manager. This delay leaves her future uncertain amidst a growing list of challengers,including at least one Republican and three Democrats who have recently declared their candidacies. Ernst mentioned that her substantial declaration could coincide with her annual Roast and Ride fundraiser, scheduled for October 11. the political landscape in Iowa remains competitive, with Democrats expected to heavily invest in the race to secure a Senate seat as Republicans aim to maintain their majority.
Joni Ernst teases ‘big’ fall reelection announcement as challengers stack up
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) will not announce her reelection plans until the fall, leaving a question mark over her political future even as she staffs up her campaign.
Ernst hired a campaign manager earlier this month, the latest sign that she is preparing to vie for a third term in the Senate, but the delay leaves room for months of speculation as a wave of candidates prepare to challenge her.
“I will have my big announcement this fall,” she told the Washington Examiner in a brief interview on Monday.
The timing of Ernst’s announcement suggests she could use her annual Roast and Ride to launch her campaign, as she did in 2019 when running for a second term.
The event, a hog roast and motorcycle-filled fundraiser that draws high-profile Republicans, is ordinarily held over the summer but is scheduled for Oct. 11 this year.
So far, Ernst has at least one Republican challenger, though he lost handily to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in 2022. Two Democrats also announced campaigns this month after Ernst retorted, “Well, we all are going to die,” when dismissing planned Medicaid spending cuts in Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill.”
Ernst has defended the bill as strengthening the program for the most vulnerable, issuing a sarcastic apology for her remark on social media.
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On the Democratic side of the aisle, three candidates — state Sen. Zach Wahls; state Rep. J.D. Scholten, a former minor league baseball pitcher; and Marine Corps veteran Nathan Sage — have entered the race in recent weeks. Ernst would also face former state legislator Jim Carlin in the primary.
Iowa is red, and Ernst won her last campaign by 6 points, though Democrats are expected to pour considerable resources into the race as Republicans defend their 53-seat Senate majority.
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