Democratic challenger announces bid against incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst
Republican incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst has her first Democratic challenger for 2026. Nathan Sage launched his bid for the U.S. Senate Wednesday on social media.
Sage is an Army and Marine Corps veteran. A Mason City native, he said he wants to be a different Democrat and appeal to more moderate and independent Iowans.
"I'm from that working-class background. That's what I'm about," Sage said. "I want to help out the working class. I feel like the working class has been left behind by both parties."
Sage currently serves as executive director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. He also had a career in radio. He has a wife and two kids, and he currently resides in Indianola.
He doesn't consider himself a politician, but he said he felt the need to join the race because he wants to fight for everyday Iowans. And Sage said he believes he can do a better job than Ernst.
"Being that she's a veteran and I'm a veteran, it's disheartening to watch somebody not fight for veterans the way that I think you should," he said.
vlog political analyst Dennis Goldford said Democrats have their work cut out for them if they want to defeat an incumbent. He said turnout will be a big factor too.
"Democrats will have to be well-funded, have a very credible candidate, and they've got to hope that the political environment will favor them," Goldford said.
The last time Ernst's seat was up for re-election was 2020, which was a presidential election year. Turnout was 75.88% in Iowa, according to the Iowa Secretary of State. In 2022, turnout was 55.06%, which was a midterm election year.
"The electorate changes somewhat for a midterm," he said.
Goldford said with an open governor's seat on the ballot, 2026 could be different.
vlog reached out to Ernst's campaign for a statement on Sage's bid for her seat. In a statement, Bryan Kraber said:
"Joni Ernst is a proven leader and combat veteran who fights — and delivers — for Iowans. Look no further than her work to bring justice to an Iowa family whose daughter was killed by an illegal immigrant and to end Washington's wasteful spending and save Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars. Make no mistake — Joni is relentless, and she's not slowing down!"
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