Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) launched her Senate campaign following Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) retirement announcement, immediately reshaping Iowa’s political landscape ahead of 2026.

Hinson, a two-term congresswoman from northeast Iowa and former television anchor, is positioning herself as Ernst’s natural successor. Her bid, which was announced Tuesday on The Simon Conway Show, comes after the seat opened for the first time since Ernst was elected in 2014.