2026 United States Senate election in Iowa
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Iowa will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Iowa. Republican incumbent Joni Ernst declined to seek re-election to a third term.[1] Primary elections will be held on June 2, 2026.
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November 3, 2026
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Background
Since voting for President Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012, Iowa has trended increasingly Republican and is now considered a moderately to strongly red state at the federal and state level. Republican nominee Donald Trump won Iowa in 2020 by 8 percentage points, and in 2024 grew his margin to 13 percentage points. Republicans control every statewide executive office (except the state auditor's office), majorities in both chambers of the state legislature, and the entire congressional delegation.[2]
Senator Joni Ernst was first elected in the red wave of 2014, defeating U.S. Representative Bruce Braley by about 8 percentage points. She was re-elected in 2020 defeating Theresa Greenfield by 6.5 percentage points in what was expected to be a dead heat.[3][4]
In May 2025, Ernst sparked controversy after replying to a constituent upset by thousands of preventable deaths resulting from Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by responding, "Well, we all are going to die" during a town hall in north-central Iowa.[5] She later doubled down on her controversial comment, which many observers criticized as dismissive, in a social media video filmed in a cemetery.[6] Ernst announced in September 2025 that she would not seek reelection.[1]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Jim Carlin, former state senator from the 3rd district (2017–2023) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[7]
- Ashley Hinson, U.S. representative from Iowa's 2nd congressional district (2021–present)[8]
Withdrawn
- Joshua Smith, former vice chair of the Libertarian National Committee (2022–2023) and Libertarian candidate for president in 2024[9]
Declined
- Brenna Bird, Iowa attorney general (2023–present) (running for re-election)[10]
- Joni Ernst, incumbent U.S. senator (2015–present)[1] (endorsed Hinson)[11]
- Kari Lake, senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (2025–present), nominee for Governor of Arizona in 2022, and nominee for U.S. Senate in Arizona in 2024[12]
- Zach Nunn, U.S. representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election,[13] endorsed Hinson)[14]
Endorsements
Jim Carlin
- State legislators
- Kevin Alons, state senator from the 7th district (2023–present)[15]
- Doug Campbell, state senator from the 30th district (2023–present)[15]
- Mark Cisneros, state representative from the 91st district (2021–present)[16]
- Samantha Fett, state representative from the 22nd district (2025–present)[17]
- Sandy Salmon, state senator from the 29th district (2023–present)[15]
Ashley Hinson
- Executive branch officials
- Terry Branstad, former U.S. ambassador to China (2017–2020) and governor of Iowa (1983–1999, 2011–2017)[16]
- Markwayne Mullin, U.S. secretary of homeland security (2026–present)[18]
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[19]
- U.S. senators
- Jim Banks, Indiana (2025–present)[18]
- Katie Britt, Alabama (2023–present)[18]
- Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia (2015–present)[20]
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2013–present)[20]
- Joni Ernst, Iowa (2015–present)[21]
- Chuck Grassley, president pro tempore (2019–2021, 2025–present) from Iowa (1981–present)[22]
- Dave McCormick, Pennsylvania (2025–present)[20]
- Jerry Moran, Kansas (2011–present)[20]
- Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present)[20]
- John Thune, Senate majority leader (2025–present) from South Dakota (2005–present)[20]
- U.S. representatives
- Tom Emmer, House majority whip (2023–present) from MN-6 (2015–present)[18]
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks, IA-1 (2021–present)[23]
- Zach Nunn, IA-3 (2023–present)[14]
- Steve Scalise, House majority leader (2023–present) from LA-1 (2008–present)[18]
- Elise Stefanik, NY-21 (2015–present)[18]
- Statewide officials
- Paul Pate, secretary of state of Iowa (1995–1999, 2015–present)[24]
- Kim Reynolds, governor of Iowa (2017–present)[25]
- State legislators
- Bobby Kaufmann, majority leader of the Iowa House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 82nd district (2013–present)[18]
- Organizations
Fundraising
Italics indicate a declined candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of April 18, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jim Carlin (R) | $293,966 | $279,387 | $14,578 |
| Ashley Hinson (R) | $7,267,266 | $2,679,198 | $6,516,143 |
| Joni Ernst (R) | $6,954,692 | $5,485,942 | $1,997,164 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[29] | |||
Polling
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Josh Turek, state representative from the 20th district (2023–present)[31]
- Zach Wahls, state senator from the 43rd district (2019–present) and former Senate Minority Leader (2020–2023)[32]
Did not file
- Bob Krause, former state representative from the 7th district (1973–1978) and perennial candidate[33]
- Richard Sherzan, former state representative from the 63rd district (1979–1981) and candidate for U.S. Senate in Arizona in 2016 and 2018[34]
Withdrawn
- Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines school board and former Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States (2009–2011)[35]
- Nathan Sage, market director for KNIA[36] (endorsed Turek)[37]
- J. D. Scholten, state representative from the 1st district (2023–present) and nominee for Iowa's 4th congressional district in 2018 and 2020 (endorsed Turek)[38]
Declined
- Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State (2019–present) (running for governor)[39]
Endorsements
Josh Turek
- Executive branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, former secretary of transportation (2021–2025)[40]
- U.S. senators
- Bob Casey Jr., former Pennsylvania (2007–2025)[41]
- Tammy Duckworth, Illinois (2017–present)[42]
- Tom Harkin, Iowa (1985–2015)[43]
- Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire (2017–present)[41]
- Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada (2017–present)[41]
- U.S. representatives
- Tony Coelho, former House majority whip (1987–1989) from CA-15 (1979–1989)[44]
- Ro Khanna, CA-17 (2017–present)[45]
- Statewide officials
- Tom Miller, former attorney general of Iowa (1979–1991, 1995–2023)[15]
- Sally Pederson, former lieutenant governor of Iowa (1999–2007) (previously endorsed Norris)[46]
- State legislators
- Michael Gronstal, former majority leader of the Iowa Senate (2006–2017) from the 8th district (1985–2017)[47]
- Pam Jochum, former president of the Iowa Senate (2013–2017)[48]
- Jennifer Konfrst, former minority leader of the Iowa House of Representatives (2021–2025) from the 32nd district (2019–present)[44]
- J. D. Scholten, state representative from the 1st district (2023–present) and former candidate for this seat[38]
- 2 state senators[b]
- Robert Dvorsky, former state senator from the 37th district (1995–2019)[48]
- 11 other state representatives[c]
- 8 former state representatives[d]
- Party officials
- Andy McGuire, former chair of the Iowa Democratic Party (2015–2017)[49]
- Individuals
- Labor unions
- Heat and Frost Insulators Local 39[50]
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 222IN[51]
Zach Wahls
- U.S. senators
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[52]
- U.S. representatives
- Dave Loebsack, former IA-2 (2007–2021)[53]
- Statewide officials
- Howard Dean, former governor of Vermont (1991–2003) and chair of the DNC (2005–2009)[53]
- Patty Judge, former lieutenant governor of Iowa (2007–2011)[53]
- Jason Kander, former secretary of state of Missouri (2013–2017)[54]
- State legislators
- 3 current state senators[e]
- 4 former state senators[f]
- 3 current state representatives[g]
- 3 former state representatives[h]
- Individuals
- Tim Dwight, former NFL and University of Iowa football player[53]
- Fred Hubbell, nominee for governor of Iowa in 2018[55]
- Labor unions
- Central Iowa Building & Construction Trades Council[56]
- Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Building & Construction Trades Council[57]
- Communications Workers of America Local 7110[46]
- Ironworkers Locals 67, 89 & 111[46][58][59]
- International Association of Fire Fighters Local 610[60]
- International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 28[61]
- Teamsters Local 90[48]
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1846[54]
- Heat and Frost Insulators Local 81[50]
- UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 125[57]
- Organizations
Jackie Norris (withdrawn)
- Statewide officials
- Sally Pederson, former lieutenant governor of Iowa (1999–2007) (later endorsed Turek)[60]
- State legislators
- Tony Bisignano, state senator from the 15th district (2015–present)[60]
- Claire Celsi, state senator from the 16th district (2019–2025) (deceased)[60]
- Local officials
- Connie Boesen, mayor of Des Moines (2024–present)[60]
Nathan Sage (withdrawn)
- Executive branch officials
- Robert Reich, former U.S. secretary of labor (1993–1997)[63]
Fundraising
Italics indicate withdrawn candidate
| Campaign finance reports as of April 18, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Nathan Sage (D) | $1,432,562 | $1,432,459 | $102 |
| Josh Turek (D) | $2,808,701 | $2,051,221 | $757,480 |
| Zach Wahls (D) | $3,167,670 | $2,112,265 | $1,055,405 |
| Jackie Norris (D) | $363,563 | $363,563 | $0 |
| J. D. Scholten (D) | $213,415 | $205,271 | $8,144 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[29] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Josh Turek |
Zach Wahls |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[64][A] | May 5–6, 2026 | 764 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 53% | 27% | – | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[64][A] | April 23, 2026 | – (LV) | – | 41% | 23% | – | 36% |
| FM3 Research (D)[65][B] | April 21–23, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 48% | 28% | – | 24% |
| Bedrock Polling[66][C] | March 26, 2026 | 1,022 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 38% | 56% | – | 6% |
| FM3 Research (D)[65][B] | March 11–14, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 25% | 34% | – | 41% |
| GQR (D)[67][D] | February 18–22, 2026 | 605 (LV) | – | 24% | 42% | – | 34% |
| NRSC (R)[68] | February 16–18, 2026 | 1,923 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 23% | 30% | 5%[i] | 42% |
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Declared
- Thomas Laehn, Greene County Attorney[69]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of April 18, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Thomas Laehn (L) | $42,944 | $37,430 | $5,513 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[29] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[70] | Likely R | January 12, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[71] | Likely R | January 12, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[72] | Likely R | January 29, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[73] | Tilt R | May 14, 2026 |
Polling
Ashley Hinson vs. Josh Turek
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Ashley Hinson (R) |
Josh Turek (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echelon Insights (R)[74][E] | April 3–9, 2026 | 377 (LV) | ± 6.6% | 45% | 46% | – | 9% |
| GQR (D)[75][A] | March 10–16, 2026 | 1,200 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 47% | 43% | – | 11% |
| Change Research (D)[76][77] | January 8–11, 2026 | 1,108 (LV) | – | 44% | 41% | 1%[j] | 14% |
Ashley Hinson vs. Zach Wahls
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Ashley Hinson (R) |
Zach Wahls (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echelon Insights (R)[74][E] | April 3–9, 2026 | 377 (LV) | ± 6.6% | 44% | 46% | – | 10% |
| GQR (D)[75][A] | March 10–16, 2026 | 1,200 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 47% | 44% | – | 9% |
| Change Research (D)[76][77] | January 8–11, 2026 | 1,108 (LV) | – | 44% | 41% | 2%[k] | 13% |
Hypothetical polling
Ashley Hinson vs. Nathan Sage
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Ashley Hinson (R) |
Nathan Sage (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change Research (D)[76][77] | January 8–11, 2026 | 1,108 (LV) | – | 44% | 41% | 1%[j] | 14% |
Joni Ernst vs. Jackie Norris
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Joni Ernst (R) |
Jackie Norris (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[78][D] | August 18–19, 2025 | 572 (V) | ± 4.1% | 45% | 42% | 13% |
Joni Ernst vs. Nathan Sage
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Joni Ernst (R) |
Nathan Sage (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[78][D] | August 18–19, 2025 | 572 (V) | ± 4.1% | 45% | 41% | 14% |
Joni Ernst vs. Josh Turek
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Joni Ernst (R) |
Josh Turek (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[78][D] | August 18–19, 2025 | 572 (V) | ± 4.1% | 45% | 41% | 14% |
Joni Ernst vs. Zach Wahls
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Joni Ernst (R) |
Zach Wahls (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[78][D] | August 18–19, 2025 | 572 (V) | ± 4.1% | 43% | 42% | 15% |
Joni Ernst vs. Generic Democrat
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Joni Ernst (R) |
Generic Democrat |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[79][80][F] | June 2–3, 2025 | 568 (V) | ± 4.1% | 45% | 43% | 12% |
Notes
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - Molly Donahue, state senator from the 37th district (2023–present)[48]
- Art Staed, state senator from the 40th district (2025–present)[48]
- Jerome Amos Jr., state representative from the 62nd district (2023–present)[48]
- Austin Baeth, state representative from the 36th district (2023–present)[48]
- Sean Bagniewski, state representative from the 35th district (2023–present)[48]
- Timi Brown-Powers, state representative from the 61st district (2015–present)[48]
- Ruth Ann Gaines, state representative from the 33rd district (2011–present)[48]
- Monica Kurth, state representative from the 98th district (2023–present)[48]
- Mary Madison, state representative from the 31st district (2023–present)[48]
- Larry McBurney, state representative from the 44th district (2025–present)[48]
- Amy Nielsen, state representative from the 85th district (2017–present)[48]
- Elizabeth Wilson, state representative from the 73rd district (2023–present)[48]
- Adam Zabner, state representative from the 90th district (2023–present)[48]
- Sue Cahill, former state representative from the 52nd district (2021–2025)[48]
- John Forbes, former state representative from the 44th district (2013–2025)[48]
- Charles Isenhart, former state representative from the 72nd district (2009–2025)[48]
- Charlie McConkey, former state representative from the 15th district (2015–2023)[48]
- Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Linn County supervisor (2023–present) and former state representative from the 69th district (2009–2023)[48]
- Sami Scheetz, Linn County supervisor (2025–present) and former state representative from the 78th district (2023–2025)[48]
- Mark Smith, former state representative from the 71st district (2001–2021) and former chair of Iowa Democratic Party (2020–2021)[48]
- Sharon Steckman, former state representative from the 59th district (2009–2025)[48]
- Liz Bennett, state senator from the 39th district (2023–present)[53]
- Matt Blake, state senator from the 22nd district (2025–present)[53]
- Izaah Knox, state senator from the 17th district (2023–present)[53]
- Rob Hogg, former state senator from the 3rrd district (2007–2023)[44]
- Jean Hall Lloyd-Jones, former state senator from the 23rd district (1987–1995)[53]
- Jim Lykam, former state senator from the 45th district (2017–2023)[53]
- Liz Mathis, former state senator from the 34th district (2011–2023)[53]
- Ken Croken, state representative from the 97th district (2023–present)[53]
- Daniel Gosa, state representative from the 81st district (2025–present)[53]
- David Jacoby, state representative from the 86th district (2003–present)[48]
- Elesha Gayman, former state representative from the 84th district (2007–2001)[44]
- Jerry Kearns, former state representative from the 92nd district (2009–2019)[44]
- Richard Myers, former state representative from the 30th district (1994–2003)[53]
- "Someone else" with 5%
- "Would not vote" with 1%
- "Would not vote" with 2%
Partisan clients