Sen. Joni Ernst’s bombshell decision to exit the Senate is shaking up Republican ranks. The Iowa conservative, known for her sharp fiscal hawkishness, will not seek reelection in 2026, leaving a void in Washington’s MAGA-friendly wing, as the Daily Mail reports. Her departure signals a shift as the GOP navigates Trump’s influence.
Ernst, a two-term senator serving since 2015, will end her tenure on Jan. 3, 2027. Sources close to her confirmed the plans to CBS News.
A trailblazer as Congress’s first female combat veteran, Ernst served in the Army Reserves with tours in Kuwait and Iraq. Her retirement as a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard cemented her credentials. Yet, her exit raises questions about the GOP’s future leadership.
Ernst’s skepticism of Trump’s Defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, sparked tension in December 2024. She questioned allegations of alcohol misuse and mistreatment of women, a stance rooted in her own experience as a sexual assault survivor. Her hesitation drew fierce pushback from Trump’s loyalists.
“If they’re opposing somebody for political reasons or stupid reasons, I would say it has nothing to do with me,” Trump declared in December 2024. That jab, dripping with MAGA bravado, ignored Ernst’s principled stand. Her eventual vote for Hegseth’s razor-thin 51-50 confirmation showed pragmatism, not weakness.
Trump’s allies threatened Ernst with a MAGA-backed primary challenger for her dissent. Such strong-arm tactics reveal the GOP’s internal tug-of-war. Ernst, undeterred, stood firm on her values while navigating party pressures.
Ernst’s “Squeal Award” exposed wasteful government spending monthly, a nod to her Iowa roots. Her co-founding of the bipartisan Senate DOGE Caucus in November 2024 aimed to curb federal fraud and abuse. These efforts showcased her commitment to taxpayers over bureaucrats.
Working alongside DOGE early in Trump’s term, Ernst pushed for leaner government. Her anti-waste crusade resonated with conservatives tired of Washington’s bloated budgets. Yet, her departure leaves this mission’s future uncertain.
In July, Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, reportedly urged Ernst to run again, saying she’d “love to have her in the Senate.” That plea, per Politico, fell flat as Ernst chose her own path. The disconnect highlights the GOP’s struggle to balance loyalty and independence.
Hegseth’s criticism of women in combat roles clashed with Ernst’s legislative focus on military sexual assault and harassment. Her initial opposition to him wasn’t “woke” posturing but a defense of her life’s work. Still, she faced MAGA wrath for daring to question Trump’s pick.
Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins also voted against the confirmation. Their dissent, alongside Ernst’s, exposed cracks in GOP unity. Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote sealed Hegseth’s ascension to the role, but not without drama.
Ernst’s vote for Hegseth, despite her reservations, showed her ability to prioritize party goals. Critics might call it capitulation, but supporters see it as strategic. Her exit now frees her from such tightropes.
Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson, a 42-year-old congresswoman and former TV journalist, is a potential successor. Matt Whitaker, NATO Ambassador and Ernst’s 2014 primary rival, also eyes the seat. Both will vie to carry her conservative torch.
Ernst’s departure from her southwestern Iowa base marks the end of a gritty, principled run. Her Senate office’s silence to Daily Mail inquiries only fuels speculation about her next move. Will she stay in politics or retreat to private life?
As a graduate of Iowa State University, Ernst brought small-town tenacity to Washington. Her exit, though, leaves conservatives wondering who can match her blend of grit and reform. The 2026 midterms will test the GOP’s ability to rally behind a new voice.
