State Sen. Zach Wahls, a Coralville Democrat, announced Wednesday his campaign in the 2026 election for the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.
Wahls said he is running to support “hardworking” families and to fix the problems he and other Iowans are facing, like the high cost of groceries, child care and medications.
“Government isn’t listening to Iowans,” Wahls said in an interview. “It’s not working for us. Iowans who are working hard are just falling further and further behind.”
Wahls is a sixth-generation Iowan who was elected in 2019 as senator for District 43. Prior to that, he was known for his LGBTQ+ activism.
Wahls joins Rep. J.D. Scholten, D-Sioux City, and Democrat Nathan Sage of Indianola, who have announced candidacy runs against Ernst, following comments she made during a recent town hall event.
Ernst, while talking at a town hall meeting about federal cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, said “we all are going to die” in response to an attendee who yelled that the cuts would cause people to die. Following the town hall, Ernst posted a sarcastic apology video and said, during an appearance on WHO Radio, she does not regret how she spoke.
Ernst has not officially launched a campaign for reelection, but has hired a campaign manager. Her comments have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle and led several to announce their plans to run for the seat.
Wahls said he and his wife were already considering how they could “fight for (their) fellow Iowans” in the upcoming election cycle, but Ernst’s comments “show how she has lost touch with Iowans.”
“Her tone deaf, double down the next day was bizarre, and I think underscored for me how important it is that a new generation of leaders step up and try to actually get things done in Washington,” Wahls said.
Across the aisle, former state legislator Jim Carlin from Sioux City also launched a run for the seat following Ernst’s comments.
Nick Puglia, regional press secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Iowa Democrats have a “messy” line up of candidates.
“Now Wahls and the other radicals will fight to see who supports males in women’s sports and opposes the deportation of violent illegal immigrants the most,” Puglia said in a statement.
Wahls was the Senate Democratic leader in 2021, but was removed from the role in 2023 following a disagreement over the termination of two staff members.
Wahls said the history shows he is willing to stand “up to the establishment.”
“I’ve never been afraid of a tough fight, and I think that’s going to serve me well,” Wahls said.
Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, announced plans to run for the U.S. Senator seat in the 2026 election. Pictured here is Wahls, left, and several other Democrats at the Anamosa State Penitentiary on April 23, 2021. (Screenshot of event livestream)
