Senate’s first female combat veteran, Joni Ernst, opts out of re-election bid

Amid previously reported tensions with President Donald Trump, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa has declared that she will not seek reelection in the looming 2026 midterms, as the Daily Mail reports.

Serving since 2015, Ernst’s decision to leave the Senate has stirred speculation regarding her past disputes with Trump’s policies.

Born in Red Oak, Iowa, Ernst attended Iowa State University before joining the Army reserves.

Her military service included deployments to Kuwait and Iraq, after which she retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard.

Ernst’s groundbreaking ascent

Ernst began her Senate career in 2015, making history as the first female combat veteran in Congress. Her tenure has been marked by a focus on military issues, especially concerning sexual assault and harassment within the ranks.

In November 2024, she co-founded the bipartisan Senate DOGE Caucus, which directs attention toward reducing government waste — a cause for which she passionately advocated during her time in office.

Throughout her political career, Ernst has been known for her formidable stance on many issues related to her military background and her legislative initiatives geared toward protecting service members.

Clash over Pentagon leadership

One of Ernst’s most significant political challenges came with the nomination of Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense by Trump. Initially, Ernst opposed Hegseth due to controversial allegations around him, but later changed her stance and supported his confirmation.

This pivotal decision resulted in a narrow confirmation passage, with a 51-50 vote, signifying a stark division within Senate ranks at the time. Ernst’s reversal and eventual affirmative vote underscored the complexities of political pressures intertwined with policy decisions.

Trump, reflecting on the confirmations, remarked that opposition often bore no relation to his influence but rather stemmed from political tactics, hinting at the challenges Ernst faced within her party.

“If they’re opposing somebody for political reasons or stupid reasons, I would say it has nothing to do with me. I would say they probably would be primaried,” Trump noted.

White House, party responses to move

Despite clear endorsements from the White House encouraging her to run for reelection, Ernst opted out. Her departure opens a significant opportunity for new Republican faces in Iowa.

Possible candidates to fill her soon-to-be-vacated seat include Ashley Hinson and Matt Whitaker, each bringing unique experiences to the potential race.

With her term set to conclude on Jan. 3, 2027, Ernst leaves a legacy of dedicated service both in the military and public service arenas, setting a high bar for her successors.

Ernst’s legacy, future prospects

Ernst’s leadership roles and legislative pursuits have left an indelible mark on both her state and the national political landscape.

Her work addressing military-related issues remains a testament to her dedication and tenacity.

As her announcement day approaches this Thursday, reactions from across the political spectrum are anticipated, reflecting on her contributions and debating the future direction of Iowa’s representation in Congress.

This turning point in her career serves not only as the end of a significant chapter but also as a precursor to the broader implications for party dynamics and electoral strategies heading into the highly contested 2026 midterms.

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