The Republican senator from Iowa faces some criticism from Iowa activists. Her Senate seat is up in the 2026 election.

Iowa's senators must recognize how dangerous a Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would be, write Henry Scott Wallace and June ...

Sen. Joni Ernst signaled Monday that she is warming to Defense Secretary designee Pete Hegseth after days of being reticent over the accusations leveled against him. The 54-year-old Ernst ...

President-elect Trump threw his support behind embattled defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth Friday as the nominee continues to meet with Republican senators.

You’re marked safe from a primary. You go up against Pete Hegseth, the president repeatedly, then don’t be surprised, Joni Ernst, if all of a sudden you have a primary challenge in Iowa." ...

Ernst, the first female combat veteran in the Senate, has been threatened with a primary challenge over her reticence - so ...

After a second meeting with Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's embattled pick to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said in a statement Monday she will "support ...

After a second meeting with Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's embattled pick to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said in a statement Monday she will "support ...

Senator Ernst has a chance to buttress a reputation for taking seriously allegations of abuse against women, writes Rekha ...

When Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa told a mostly Republican audience Dec. 7 that she needed to hear more from Pete Hegseth to support him for defense secretary, she prominently added: “I am a survivor ...

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a leader in the fight against sexual assault in the military who has been hesitant to support Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary ...