Hunter
08/11/25
Iowa US Senator Joni Ernst visited the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, hinting that her reelection announcement is coming soon.
KCRG TV reports while she has yet to officially declare her candidacy, Ernst has taken steps suggesting a bid, including hiring a campaign manager, despite stating she would only serve two terms at a 2014 primary debate.
Should she decide to run, she already has three Democratic challengers; J.D. Scholten, Nathan Sage, and Zach Wahls, as well as two Republicans, Jim Carlin and Joshua Smith.
KCII political analyst Dennis Goldford attributes the large candidate field to earlier backlash over comments Senator Ernst made in response to concerns over Medicaid cuts. In a video recorded at a town hall that went viral, the Senator told those attending that “we’re all going to die.” She doubled down on her comments, later releasing a video seemingly recorded at a cemetery.