Still not done boasting about her record of service and accomplishments, Senator Joni Ernst took a deep breath before finally arriving at the heart of her message. With visible emotion in her voice, she said, “Having been raised in a family that has given me so much love, strength, and unwavering support throughout my entire life, I’ve come to realize that as our family grows older and continues to expand, it’s now my time to give back to them. After a tremendous amount of prayer, reflection, and long conversations with loved ones, I have decided that I will not be seeking reelection in 2026. This was no easy decision — it’s one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make.”
Her announcement brought an unexpected pause to the room, as the Iowa senator—often known for her sharp humor and political toughness—momentarily let her guard down. She continued with a softer tone, reflecting on the years she had spent in public service and the sense of calling that first brought her to politics.
Adding to her previous statement, the Republican senator, often labeled by critics as a RINO (Republican In Name Only), emphasized her deep connection to her home state and her lifelong devotion to her country. “I love my state, and I love my country,” she said firmly, her words echoing with sincerity. “That love — that sense of duty — is the very reason I decided to wear our nation’s uniform in the first place. It’s what drove me to run for public office, to serve, and to fight for the people of Iowa.”
She went on to recall her unlikely journey — a story that has long been central to her political image. “I never imagined,” she said, “that this farm girl from Red Oak, Iowa, who grew up feeding pigs and baling hay, would one day have the honor of serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, and later as a United States Senator. Only in America could a story like that even be possible.”
Ernst paused, smiling faintly, before adding, “By the grace of God, eleven years ago, the people of Iowa placed their trust in me and elected me as the first female combat veteran to serve in the United States Senate. It’s a title that carries both pride and responsibility, and one that I have worn with honor every single day.”
As she spoke, Ernst appeared to blend gratitude with a subtle sense of vindication — a reflection of the countless battles she had fought in Washington, both political and personal. She reminded her audience that her original campaign had been built on a bold promise, one that resonated deeply with voters fed up with government inefficiency.
“When Iowans first elected me, they did so with a clear mission in mind,” she said with renewed confidence. “They sent me to Washington to make it squeal — to expose the waste, fraud, and abuse that had become far too common across the federal government. It was never just a slogan. It was a promise.”
Ernst then detailed the achievements she believes defined her time in office. “Over the years, I’m proud to say that we’ve delivered on that mission. We’ve pushed back against unnecessary spending and government waste. We’ve stood up for taxpayers and made sure their money was treated with respect. We’ve reined in overburdensome regulations that stifled small businesses and farmers, and we’ve made Washington more accountable to the American people.”
Her tone shifted between pride and humility as she reflected on the legacy she hoped to leave behind. Ernst acknowledged that her journey had been filled with challenges, victories, and lessons — moments that shaped her both as a leader and as a person.
“It hasn’t always been easy,” she admitted. “Public service demands sacrifice — not just from those who serve, but from their families as well. There are missed dinners, long flights, early mornings, and sleepless nights. But every moment was worth it because it meant standing up for the values I believe in and for the people I love.”
Her remarks concluded with a quiet but heartfelt sense of closure. “As I step away from this chapter of my career, my commitment to my state and my country doesn’t end,” Ernst said. “It simply changes shape. I will continue serving — just in a different way. My family has stood behind me for decades, and now it’s time for me to stand behind them. I leave this office with gratitude, with pride, and with faith — faith in God, in Iowa, and in the future of this great nation.”
With that, the senator offered one last smile, the kind that carried both relief and nostalgia — the look of someone closing a long and defining chapter of her life.