Iowa Democrat J.D. Scholten has announced that he is entering the 2026 race for Republican Senator Joni Ernst's seat. The decision was "prompted in part" by controversial remarks Ernst made about possible Medicaid cuts,

Joni Ernst (R-IA) following her controversial remarks at a recent town hall. Ernst sparked outrage when she flippantly responded, "We're all going to die," to constituents voicing concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts.

Senator Joni Ernst defended her "we all are going to die" statement made at a heated town hall regarding a GOP-backed domestic policy bill. The bill, named the One Big Beautiful Bill act, proposes work requirements for some Medicaid recipients,