{"id":2471193,"date":"2025-08-05T16:43:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T20:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-michelle-obama-aide-jackie-norris-announces-senate-challenge-to-joni-ernst\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T16:44:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T20:44:55","slug":"former-michelle-obama-aide-jackie-norris-announces-senate-challenge-to-joni-ernst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-michelle-obama-aide-jackie-norris-announces-senate-challenge-to-joni-ernst\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Michelle Obama aide Jackie Norris announces Senate challenge to Joni Ernst"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-michelle-obama-aide-jackie-norris-announces-senate-challenge-to-joni-ernst%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2471193&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Jackie Norris,chair of the Des Moines School Board adn former chief of staff to former First Lady michelle Obama,announced her campaign for the U.S.Senate seat in Iowa. Norris cited economic challenges such as unaffordable child care, health care, housing, and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >youth mental health issues<\/a> as key reasons for running. She emphasized the need for practical solutions, including affordable child care and accessible pre-K programs. norris has a history in Iowa politics,having worked on former Governor Tom Vilsack&#8217;s campaign,and has experience in public service and nonprofit leadership. Making a bipartisan appeal, she stressed the importance of moving beyond partisan divisions to address Iowa&#8217;s needs effectively. Norris is the fourth Democrat to enter the race and is expected to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Joni Ernst in the 2026 midterm elections, where Ernst also faces primary challengers.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former Michelle Obama aide Jackie Norris announces Senate challenge to Joni Ernst<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2112331\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris announced her campaign Tuesday for Senate in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Iowa<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Norris previously served as the chief of staff for former First Lady Michelle Obama, and is currently serving on the board of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-best-interests-of-children-have-often-come-dead-last-watch-mcconnell-tear-into-teachers-unions\/\" title=\"\u2018The Best Interests Of Children Have Often Come Dead Last\u2019: Watch McConnell Tear Into Teachers\u2019 Unions\">largest school district<\/a> in Iowa since 2021. She told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iowapublicradio.org\/political-news\/2025-08-05\/democrat-jackie-norris-senate-race-for-joni-ernst\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Iowa Public Radio<\/a> she was running due to economic concerns.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3491262\/texas-democrats-walkout-illinois-gop-redistricting-effort\/\">Texas Democrats plan to stay in Illinois to thwart GOP redistricting effort<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3491130\/texas-republicans-wesley-hunt-senate-paxton-cornyn-battle\/\">Texas Republicans eye Wesley Hunt for Senate amid fears Paxton-Cornyn battle doomed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3490997\/ex-republican-tracy-hunt-launches-bid-challenge-brian-fitzpatrick-pennsylvania\/\">Ex-Republican Tracy Hunt launches bid to unseat Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania district Harris won<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got the economic strain, where essentials like child care, health care and housing are unaffordable, and our youth are in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/9-year-old-girl-pepper-sprayed-during-interaction-with-rochester-police\/\" title=\"9-Year-Old Girl Pepper Sprayed During Interaction With Rochester Police\">mental health crisis<\/a> right now,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p><em>&ldquo;<\/em>There&rsquo;s different ways to do it, whether it&rsquo;s child care affordability, whether it&rsquo;s looking at solutions around pre-K to make sure that&rsquo;s available and accessible to working parents, I think it is addressing mental health issues for young people,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p>She first came to Iowa when she worked on former Gov. Tom Vilsack&rsquo;s campaign, who later became the first Democrat to win the state in 30 years. After serving in the Obama White House, she launched the Corporate Institute at President George H. W. Bush&rsquo;s Points of Light organization.<\/p>\n<p>In her campaign launch video, she made a bipartisan pitch. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Red versus blue isn&rsquo;t fixing anything. Iowa needs a Senator who doesn&rsquo;t just talk tough but rolls up their sleeves, and has the grit and experience to actually get something done,&rdquo; she <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MsJackieNorris\/status\/1952698954497556632\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3224765\/senate-democrats-hope-midterms-2024-downballot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>SENATE DEMOCRATS SEE HOPE FOR MIDTERMS WITH 2024 DOWNBALLOT RESULTS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Norris is the fourth Democrat to enter the race. Others include Democratic state Sen. Zach Wahls, state Rep. J.D. Scholten and Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nathan Sage.<\/p>\n<p>The Democratic nominee will likely face Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) in the 2026 midterm election, but she has not yet announced a reelection campaign. As it stands, Ernst is facing a primary challenge from two state lawmakers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2112331\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2112331\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ex-Obama aide Jackie Norris launches Iowa Senate bid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2471194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ap-georgia-2020-election-ballot-120224.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[60696,33027,32618,33387,60697],"class_list":["post-2471193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-jackie-norris","tag-joni-ernst","tag-michelle-obama","tag-political-campaign","tag-senate-challenge"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ap-georgia-2020-election-ballot-120224.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2471193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2471193"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2471193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2471197,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2471193\/revisions\/2471197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2471194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2471193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2471193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2471193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}