Public Policy Polling
50%40%30%20%10%0%
45%
Republican
Incumbent
IncumbentJoni Ernst
Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
$28.0K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age55 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
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 19, 2026
Joni Ernst is in the news because she is not seeking reelection, leaving Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate seat open and turning the race into a major battleground. Democrats Josh Turek and Zach Wahls are competing for their party’s nomination, while Republicans are backing Ashley Hinson as the likely nominee. Ernst has also drawn attention for endorsing Hinson and for her proposed Small Business Innovation Research changes, which were linked to a federal funding delay affecting a genetic disorder lab.
ernst.senate.gov+18
Articles
TNThe New Yorker2 days ago
Can the Democrats Take Back the Senate?
Neutral
DMDes Moines Register7 days ago
Iowa's 2026 elections are nationally watched
Neutral
SPSt. Paul Pioneer Press15 days ago
Democrats look for a foothold in Iowa as Vance visits to boost GOP
Neutral
ATAmes Tribune2 months ago
Who's running for US Senate in Iowa in 2026? Meet the candidates
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Joni Ernst for Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total 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
$2.0M
$2.2M
$149.4K
Source: FEC