Iowa's Senate race is competitive and let's admit it ... exciting!

Sen. Joni "We're all going to die" Ernst not seeking re-election

As of early September, Democrats across the Hawkeye State are showing some serious bench strength with the following local community leaders and state government representatives running in the primary to win the U.S. Senate race in 2026:

• Sen. Zach Wahls (Coralville, state senator and longtime LBGTQ+ advocate)

• Rep. Josh Turek (Council Bluffs, state representative)

• Jackie Norris (community leader and current Chair of Des Moines Public School Board)

• Nathan Sage (local business leader from Knoxville)

• Bob Krause - (ended his run for Congress in the 1st District, he's a former state rep from Burlington)

• Rep. JD Scholten- a state/national favorite - dropped out and threw his support behind Turek, promising to keep fighting on behalf of western Iowa in the Iowa Capitol

Many of them generated national news attention and social buzz with some incredible TV ads - including Sage and Rep. Turek.

Let's just say that Iowans would sleep more easily with any one of these smart, passionate and committed individuals representing us.

The extreme MAGA party has T$ump follower, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, former state Sen. Jim Carlin and Joshua Smith running in the Republican primary. After announcing, Hinson decided to embarrass us and herself by going up against Calif. Gov. Newsom's social team over the weekend. <sigh>

Iowa's primary is set for June 2, 2026, and the general election will be held on November 3, 2026