JUST IN: Swing State GOP Senator Reportedly Won’t Seek Re-Election

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

A key swing state Republican senator will not seek re-election in 2026, according to CBS News.

CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs posted on X Friday, “Iowa’s Joni Ernst has told confidantes she plans to reveal next week that she won’t seek reelection in 2026.”

Politico recently reported on rumors of Ernst’s desire to retire after two terms in the Senate, despite Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) saying he was doing “everything I can to encourage her to run for reelection.”

“She has long been viewed as a rising star within the party, and she beat Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer in 2018 to join the GOP leadership team,” Politico reported.

Before beginning her political career, Ernst served for 23 years in the military and saw combat as a company commander in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard in 2015.

In the Senate, Ernst introduced bills meant to strengthen U.S.-Middle East partnerships, especially with Israel. Laws passed include the DEFEND Act, MARITIME Act, and STARS Act.

Ernst initially pushed back against President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, expressing her concern over allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse. She eventually gave her support following a pressure campaign from Trump allies who made her “life extremely uncomfortable,” according to Politico.

Ernst was criticized for “going MAGA” following a town hall appearance when constituents confronted her on Medicaid cuts in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, claiming people will die because of them. Ernst infamously fired back, “Well, we all are going to die.”

If Ernst does announce her retirement, she would join three other Senate Republicans vacating office ahead of 2026, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).