Jackie Norris Enters 2026 Iowa Senate Race

Jackie Norris, Des Moines School Board Chair and former teacher, has announced her 2026 campaign for the U.S. Senate in Iowa, aiming for the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Joni Ernst. Norris highlights her experience as an educator, school board leader, and CEO of Goodwill of Central Iowa, focusing on affordability, public education, and bipartisan solutions for child care, health care, and mental health. She has worked on the campaigns of Tom Vilsack and Barack Obama and served as chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama. Her campaign spotlights efforts to improve student mental health by limiting cell phone use in schools and raising wages. Norris is the fourth Democrat in the race, joining Nathan Sage, J.D. Scholten, and Zach Wahls, with state Rep. Josh Turek also considering a run. Senator Ernst has not confirmed her reelection plans, and the race is currently rated as 'Likely Republican.'