Joni Ernst

Josh Turek, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa, received over $20,000 in per diem payments while missing 261 votes (nearly 60% of his participation) between January 2026 and May 2026. His absences coincided with campaign fundraising trips, including events in Southern California and Washington, D.C., during which he missed votes on key bills.

A Republican senator expressed skepticism about a new Iran-U.S. agreement replacing the JCPOA, which was dissolved under the first Trump administration. The senator emphasized concerns over past issues with the original JCPOA.

President Donald Trump faces Republican skepticism regarding his new Iran agreement, as many GOP lawmakers remain cautious due to past opposition to the 2015 nuclear pact. Republicans have withheld judgment, citing insufficient details, while expressing cautious optimism about a potential ceasefire in the Middle East.

Republicans urge President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to realign their positions on Iran, following a recent public disagreement over military action. GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, emphasized the need for coordination between the two leaders to strengthen U.S.-Israel cooperation and address shared strategic interests.

Republicans are urging President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resolve their public disagreements over Iran, as lawmakers express concern over the strained relationship. GOP representatives, including Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, called for closer coordination between the U.S. and Israel to align actions against Iran, while acknowledging occasional differences in approach.

Bipartisan legislation to cap insulin at $35 a month for people with private insurance is gaining momentum. The bill, introduced in March, recently added four co-sponsors, including Sens. Joni Ernst and John Hickenlooper.

Businessman Zach Lahn and State Auditor Rob Sand are projected to face off in November for Iowa governor, according to Decision Desk HQ. Lahn, endorsed by Turning Point Action, won the GOP primary over Rep. Randy Feenstra, who had endorsements from President Trump and retiring Sen. Joni Ernst.

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and state Rep. Josh Turek (D) are set to compete for the Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) this fall. Hinson won the GOP nomination by defeating former state Rep. Jim Carlin (R). Turek, a Paralympic gold medalist, is the Democratic candidate.

Ashley Hinson won the Iowa Senate GOP primary, according to CBS News. Republican Sen. Joni Ernst is not running for reelection, and Hinson received President Trump's endorsement.

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson secured the GOP Senate nomination in Iowa, defeating Jim Carlin in the primary. The race is critical for the Senate majority, with Democrats targeting the seat. Hinson received endorsements from Donald Trump, John Thune, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson secured the Senate nomination in Iowa to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, defeating former state senator Jim Carlin in the GOP primary. Hinson, endorsed by President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders, faces the winner of a Democratic primary between state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Wahls in the general election.

Iowa Democrats will select a Senate candidate between Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, both state lawmakers, to challenge the GOP defense of Sen. Joni Ernst's seat. Republicans have allocated $29 million to support their nominee, while Democrats hope economic issues will help them flip the seat and other GOP-held positions in the state.

Iowa voters are selecting candidates for the Senate race to replace outgoing Sen. Joni Ernst (R). Republican Rep. Ashely Hinson leads challenger Jim Carlin in the GOP primary, while state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach are competing in the Democratic primary.

Iowa Democrats will select a Senate primary candidate between Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, who aim to challenge GOP efforts to retain Sen. Joni Ernst's seat. The race is part of broader national attention in Iowa, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance supporting Republican candidates, including Rep. Ashley Hinson and former Sen. Jim Carlin.

The Iowa primary election is underway with both parties selecting candidates to replace Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.

Iowa is holding primary elections to succeed two retiring Republicans, Senator Joni Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds. Democrats view these races as key opportunities for pickups.

Iowa's state primary features competitive races for open seats due to the retirements of Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. Key contests include Senate nominations with Ashley Hinson and Jim Carlin (Republicans) and Josh Turek and Zach Wahls (Democrats), as well as a gubernatorial race with multiple Republican candidates. The outcomes could influence the 2028 election and midterm control of Congress.

The retirements of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst have caused ripple effects in Iowa’s state primary, leading to competitive nomination contests for their replacements and creating a chain reaction of open seats down the ballot.

Iowa's state primary features competitive races for open Republican and Democratic nominations due to the retirements of Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. Key contests include Senate candidates Ashley Hinson, Jim Carlin, Josh Turek, and Zach Wahls, and gubernatorial candidates Eddie Andrews, Randy Feenstra, and others. The outcomes will impact November's midterm elections and potential 2028 presidential dynamics.

Iowa Democrats are undecided between state lawmakers Josh Turek and Zach Wahls in a Senate primary to challenge a Republican-held seat. Both candidates emphasize similar policies but differ in strategies to attract crossover voters, with Turek focusing on economic populism and Wahls on legislative records. The primary outcome is critical as Democrats aim to flip the seat in November.

Iowa Democrats are undecided between state lawmakers Josh Turek and Zach Wahls in a U.S. Senate primary, with both candidates claiming to offer the best chance to flip a Republican-held seat. The race carries high stakes as Republicans have a statehouse advantage and a political group has pledged $29 million to defend the seat.

Iowa Democrats are divided between state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach Wahls in a primary race for a U.S. Senate seat, with the winner aiming to flip a Republican-held position in November. Both candidates highlight their legislative records and appeal to independent and moderate voters, though Republicans hold a structural advantage in the state.

The U.S. Department of Defense is requesting a $55 billion budget for the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) in 2027, a significant increase from $225 million in 2026, to accelerate development of AI-driven autonomous weapons. Concerns were raised about outdated governance frameworks (DoD 3000.09) and the global AI arms race, particularly with China.

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa is running for Senate after Joni Ernst announced her retirement, positioning herself as a favorite in the GOP primary scheduled for June 2. Hinson, a former journalist representing Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, has secured major endorsements and is leveraging a Trump alliance while advocating for congressional trading restrictions in her campaign.

The Senate has passed legislation to prevent senators and their staff from betting on prediction markets, aiming to increase faith in the institution. The move was pushed by Senator Bernie Moreno and supported by companies like Polymarket and Kalshi. This change comes as lawmakers have tried to police themselves with bans on stock trading while in office.

GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for firing Army Chief of Staff Randy A. George. Hegseth was testifying before a Senate committee about the Pentagon's 2027 budget request.

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), a Senate candidate, is advocating for expanded birth control access by reintroducing legislation to reduce barriers to contraception. The race for the open Senate seat follows retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).