Hours after Ernst announcement, north-central Iowa congresswoman Hinson announces she’ll run for the U. S. Senate

WASHINGTON — North-central Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026. Hinson posted her announcement on social media, about four hours after Republican Senator Joni Ernst released a video message saying she would not seek reelection.

Hinson, a Republican from Marion, was first elected to the U.S. House in 2020 and won re-election to a third term last year with over 57% of the vote.

Three Democrats have announced they’re running in the second congressional district, which Hinson currently represents, and includes Cerro Gordo, Worth, Mitchell, Floyd and Butler counties in our immediate listening area.

State Representative Lindsay James of Dubuque is a Presbyterian pastor. Kathy Dolter, a retired Army nurse, was dean of the Kirkwood Community College nursing program. Clint Twedt-Ball is a pastor who recently stepped down from the Cedar Rapids-based “Matthew 25” non-profit he co-founded.

Shortly after Hinson announced she was running for the U-S Senate, State Representative Shannon Lundgren — a Republican from Peosta — announced she is seriously considering running for congress.