Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson announces 2026 US Senate campaign

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson announced she will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026 to try to succeed incumbent Joni Ernst, promising to serve as Republican President Donald Trump's "top ally in the United States Senate."

"My priorities have been Iowans’ priorities," Hinson said in a Sept. 2 radio interview announcing her decision. "I continue to hear those every single day as I’m out in my congressional district and soon to be the entire state. And I’m running to be President Trump’s top ally in the United States Senate, because we have to be working on continuing to deliver that America First agenda that is working for Iowans every single day.”

Hinson said she plans to travel to each of Iowa's 99 counties as part of her campaign, starting this week.

"I look forward to getting out and having those conversations about how we can continue to put Iowa first and put America first, and I will make sure that we are delivering on that America First agenda in the United States Senate," she said.

The news came just hours after Sen. Ernst announced that, "after a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection," she would not seek a third term.

The developments once again reset Iowa's political landscape going into what is expected to be a competitive midterm election year.

With both Ernst and Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds choosing to forego reelection, Iowa's Senate and gubernatorial races are wide-open competitions. And Hinson's departure from her 2nd Congressional District seat adds another top-tier contest without an incumbent as national Democrats target three of Iowa's U.S. House districts.

Hinson, 42, a former TV news anchor for Cedar Rapids' KCRG, served two terms in the Iowa House of Representatives before she was elected to Congress in 2020. That year she defeated incumbent Democrat, U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer, to flip the seat in favor of Republicans.

She was easily reelected in 2022 and 2024, and she was again favored to hold her seat in 2026. Cook Political Report rated the race as a "solid Republican" district.

Hinson has been seen as a rising star in Iowa politics, and she consistently has shown strong fundraising abilities.

She reported raising $854,000 during the most recent fundraising quarter, which was more than the $723,000 Ernst brought in during the same period. That report showed she ended the quarter with about $2.8 million in cash on hand — money that she could transfer to a new Senate fundraising committee.

Hinson teased the announcement in a social media post earlier Sept. 2.

"As we look forward, President Trump needs a fighter in the Senate who will always have his back to continue to cut spending, deport illegal aliens, and put working families first," Hinson wrote. "I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with the President to pass this America First agenda in the House and I would be his strongest ally in the Senate."

She rolled out a slate of endorsements following her announcement, including from Iowa Republicans U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and state House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann. A number of congressional Republicans also endorsed Hinson, including U.S. Sens. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Katie Britt of Alabama and Jim Banks of Indiana, as well as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota.

Who else is running for US Senate?

Two Republican candidates are already in the race for U.S. Senate.

Former state legislator Jim Carlin, who unsuccessfully ran a primary campaign against U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley in 2022, previously announced he would primary Ernst for the Republican nomination.

And Joshua Smith, who previously ran for public office as a Libertarian, also announced before Ernst's decision that he would be running as a Republican in 2026.

Five Democrats have also announced campaigns for U.S. Senate. They include state Sen. Zach Wahls, state Rep. Josh Turek, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris; former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage; and former state legislator Bob Krause.

Hinson's decision to run for US Senate opens up 2nd District GOP primary

Hinson's decision to run for the U.S. Senate opens up what could become a competitive primary to succeed her in the 2nd District.

No Republican candidates have yet jumped into the race, although it is expected to be a potentially large field of contenders.

State Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, posted to social media shortly after Hinson's announcement that she is "seriously considering" a 2nd District bid.

"I endorsed President Trump long before the caucuses, and I'd be with him every day in Congress," she wrote.

Republicans expressed optimism that it would remain a safe GOP district in 2026, despite Hinson's departure from the race.

"This is simple: Iowa voters trust Republicans to deliver real, commonsense results and have no interest in the Democrats' radical agenda," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Emily Tuttle said in a statement. "This seat will stay red."

Several Democrats had previously announced campaigns to run in the district.

They include Kathy Dolter, a U.S. Army veteran and former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College; Lindsay James, a state representative and an ordained Presbyterian pastor; and Clint Twedt-Ball, a Cedar Rapids resident and former nonprofit executive.

Democrat Kevin Techau, a former state commissioner of public safety and U.S. attorney, suspended his campaign in June after failing to raise enough money.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Katie Smith said in a Sept. 2 that Hinson's decision to run for the U.S. Senate seat shows that she "sees the writing on the wall: her re-election prospects are doomed because Northeast Iowans see that she is more focused on serving billionaires than working for them."

“Hinson fleeing her voters is just the latest sign of no confidence in Washington Republicans’ agenda of raising prices, cutting health care, and looking out for special interests above all else," Smith said. "Hinson knows what we know: there’s change coming in Iowa, Democrats will compete aggressively to flip this seat, and we will win because Iowans are ready to elect someone who actually puts them first.”

National Democrats included Iowa's 2nd District as one of their targeted races for 2026.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.