Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) revealed her intention to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026 after Sen. Joni Ernst confirmed she would not seek re-election. Hinson emphasized her commitment to Iowa’s interests, stating in a radio interview, “My priorities have been Iowans’ priorities,” as reported by The Des Moines Register. She added, “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 outlined plans to visit all 99 Iowa counties as part of her campaign, vowing to “put Iowa first and put America first” while advancing the “America First agenda” in the Senate. Her announcement followed Ernst’s decision to step down after “a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection,” with Hinson expressing gratitude for Ernst’s service.

The race for the GOP Senate nomination includes two other contenders: former state lawmaker Jim Carlin and Joshua Smith, a former Libertarian candidate for the state Senate. Multiple Republican senators, including Katie Britt of Alabama, Jim Banks of Indiana, and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, have endorsed Hinson. Banks praised her as “a conservative fighter” committed to “cutting the long-unchecked waste, fraud, and abuse that’s run rampant in Washington.”

Hinson has represented northeast Iowa in the U.S. House since 2020, defeating Democrat Abby Finkenauer. Before her congressional career, she worked as a TV news anchor and served in the Iowa House. Her Senate bid leaves the 2nd Congressional District without a Republican incumbent, though several Democrats have announced campaigns for the seat.