Public Policy Polling
50%40%30%20%10%0%
43%
Republican
Incumbent
IncumbentJoni Ernst
Incumbent Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa
Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
$49.9K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.5%chance to win
$49.9KJUN 3, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age56 years old (Jul 1, 1970)
GenderFemale
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LocationIowa
BackgroundPolitician
EducationIowa State University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsJoni Kay Ernst is a U.S. Senator from Iowa, first elected in 2014 and sworn in on January 3, 2015. She previously served as Montgomery County Auditor and as a member of the Iowa State Senate. Ernst served more than 23 years in the Iowa Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, including a 2003 deployment as a company commander in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and retired as a lieutenant colonel.
SourcesShowHide
ernst.senate.govcongress.goven.wikipedia.orgbritannica.comfec.govmarshall.senate.govfoxbusiness.comtheguardian.comkennedy.senate.govspglobal.comapnews.comdesmoinesregister.comkcrg.comkcci.comiowacapitaldispatch.comfoxnews.comradioiowa.comnytimes.comthehill.comiowafarmbureau.comnwestiowa.comspectrumlocalnews.comabcnews.comwsj.comthegazette.comdailywire.comballotpedia.orgfacebook.comyoutube.comsenate.govrepublican.senate.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgrepublicanleader.senate.govrpc.senate.govcommerce.senate.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orghistory.house.govepw.senate.govgovinfo.govclerk.house.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax cuts and protections for businesses (including making the 20% pass-through deduction permanent), advocates reducing federal spending and opposing Democratic tax increases, and sponsors legislation to limit IRS authority and hold IRS employees accountable for unpaid taxes. Her statements and bills emphasize lowering the tax burden on small businesses and cutting government inefficiency.
Healthcare
Supports repeal/replacement of the Affordable Care Act in favor of market-based reforms and increased choice rather than mandates; emphasizes protecting people with pre-existing conditions while replacing the ACA and advancing measures to lower costs through transparency and workforce increases. Has supported legislation to expand provider access for rural areas and defended proposals that would reduce Medicaid eligibility or spending as part of broader Republican reforms.
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Immigration & Border
Supports strengthened border security and use of border wall materials, prioritizes detention and removal of illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes, and opposes policies she describes as ‘‘open borders.’' Advocates restricting certain benefits for those unlawfully present and pushing for increased enforcement measures rather than pathways to broad regularization.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate is pro-life and supports significant restrictions on abortion, including legislation banning abortion after about five months (20 weeks) and measures to prohibit federal funding for Planned Parenthood; she has supported the Life at Conception Act to recognize legal protection for unborn children. Her public statements and sponsored legislation emphasize restricting access and returning policymaking to elected officials and states.
Climate & Energy
Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy emphasizing domestic energy production and energy independence, is a strong legislative defender of biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard, and opposes Green New Deal–style policies and aggressive federal climate mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong Second Amendment protections, opposes restrictive ATF rules and federal gun registries, and has sponsored legislation to protect lawful gun dealers and limit administrative enforcement. Emphasizes protecting lawful gun owners and dealers while criticizing Biden administration gun-policy actions.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 7, 2026
Joni Ernst is in the news because she is retiring, leaving Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat open for the 2026 election. That has turned the race into a competitive battleground, with Democrats trying to flip the seat and Republicans expected to defend it heavily. Recent polling shows Republicans holding a narrow edge in the race, with Ashley Hinson ahead of Josh Turek.
ernst.senate.gov+40
Articles
TNThe New York Times3 months ago
A Paralympic Champion and an Eagle Scout Give Democrats Hope in Deep-Red Iowa
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
What to know about Iowa's primaries as Democrats try to mount a comeback
Neutral
WWTOP3 months ago
Iowa Democrats hoping to flip a US Senate seat are torn over which of 2 hopefuls has the best shot
Neutral
TNThe New Yorker4 months ago
Can the Democrats Take Back the Senate?
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$2.9M
$2.2M
$1.5M
$730.5K
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$2.0M
$973.7K
$1.6M
$66.2K
Cycle 2024
$2.9M
$2.2M
$1.7M
$69.0K
Cycle 2026
$2.0M
$1.9M
$2.3M
$128.2K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements