Democratic Party Member Launches Bid for Ernst's Senate Position
In the upcoming 2026 U.S. Senate election in Iowa, five Democrats have thrown their hats in the ring, aiming to challenge the incumbent Republican Senator Joni Ernst. The contenders are Jackie Norris, Josh Turek, Zach Wahls, J.D. Scholten, and Nathan Sage.
Jackie Norris, the current chair of the Des Moines School Board, is a notable figure in the race. With a rich political background, Norris served as Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, from 2009 to 2011. Prior to her role in the White House, Norris, a New York native, came to Iowa to be the finance director for Tom Vilsack's 1998 campaign for governor.
Norris is not the only experienced politician in the race. Josh Turek and J.D. Scholten are state representatives, while Zach Wahls is a state senator and former Senate Minority Leader. Nathan Sage, on the other hand, brings a unique perspective as the former executive director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.
The entrance of these five Democrats into the race signals an energetic Democratic primary. Joni Ernst, the current Senator, has acknowledged the multiple challengers and expressed her confidence in Iowa's Republican leanings in the upcoming election cycle.
Norris, in particular, has expressed concerns about the rising costs of child care, housing, and health care in America. She has also highlighted her experience on high-profile Iowa campaigns as a strength that will serve her well in the race.
Norris' political career extends beyond her work in the White House and her role in Iowa politics. She has taught government and history at high schools in Ames, Perry, and Johnston. Norris also worked on Republican President George H.W. Bush's "Points of Light" Foundation.
As the race heats up, these five Democrats are gearing up for a challenging but exciting battle in the Iowa political landscape. The primary elections are scheduled for June 2026, with the general election following in November.
This information is current as of August 2025.
[1] Iowa Starting Points, "Iowa Democrats Launch Senate Campaigns", https://www.iowastartingpoints.com/iowa-democrats-launch-senate-campaigns/
[2] Des Moines Register, "Joni Ernst welcomes multiple Democratic challengers in 2026 Senate race", https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/01/joni-ernst-welcomes-multiple-democratic-challengers-iowa-2026-senate-race/7515872002/
[3] The Gazette, "Iowa Democrats launch Senate campaigns", https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/politics/iowa-democrats-launch-senate-campaigns-20250501
- The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce's former executive director, Nathan Sage, joins four other Democrats - Jackie Norris, Josh Turek, J.D. Scholten, and Zach Wahls - aiming to defeat incumbent Senator Joni Ernst in the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Iowa.
- These five Democrats, each with unique backgrounds in local politics, combined with Norris' experience as the current chair of the Des Moines School Board and her work in the White House, promise an energetic primary election.
- With Senate service, state representation, and senate leadership roles among them, Turek, Scholten, Wahls, and Sage complement Norris' political prowess in the upcoming race.
- The local radio stations, KMCH, Iowa Starting Points, and The Gazette, have reported on this thickening senate race, covering the Democratic candidates' campaign announcements and Joni Ernst's acknowledgment of her multiple challengers.
- The proliferating number of Democratic candidates has raised concerns about escalating costs in sectors like child care, housing, and healthcare, which Jackie Norris is eager to address should she secure the nomination.
- General news outlets and media organizations, in addition to news about car-accidents, crime-and-justice, and fires, will likely extend their coverage to include updates on key policy-and-legislation proposals from Iowa's Democratic senate candidates in the war-and-conflicts, migration, and other domestic and foreign policy areas.
- The primary elections for Iowa's Senate race are set for June 2026, paving the way for nationwide attention on the contenders' positions and platforms leading up to the scheduled general election in November.
