SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Carlin issued the following statement in response to Sen. Joni Ernst’s announcement on Tuesday that she will not seek re-election in 2026:
“I want to thank Senator Joni Ernst for her service to Iowa and our nation. But let’s be clear: this is a critical moment, and Iowa doesn’t need another establishment-picked, uniparty Republican. The same establishment that orchestrated this moment will soon push another handpicked candidate who pretends to care about us and pretends to support President Trump, but isn’t truly on our side. These insiders got us into this mess. Iowa demands a true conservative fighter who puts America first, Iowans first, and fully backs President Trump’s bold agenda to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. I’m Jim Carlin, and I’m that fighter. With a proven track record as a pro-God, pro-Trump, pro-gun, pro-life, pro-family, pro-property rights conservative in the Iowa State Senate, I’m ready to take this seat in Washington and deliver for Iowa.”
Carlin, a former Iowa state senator and conservative with a record of supporting Trump’s agenda, won a recent poll among likely Republican candidates for the open U.S. Senate seat, conducted by the Iowa Standard over the weekend.
Additionally, on Friday, Iowa state Sen. Sandy Salmon, R-District 29, endorsed Carlin for U.S. Senate.
About Jim Carlin:
Jim Carlin is Christian, husband, father and grandfather. He is a Constitutional conservative, U.S. Army veteran and former Iowa state senator running for U.S. Senate to challenge incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst. Carlin is a Sioux City attorney, who served in the Iowa assembly from 2017-2023, fighting for America First policies like secure borders, fiscal responsibility and Second Amendment rights. Carlin voted for Iowa’s Constitutional carry law and opposes endless wars and wasteful spending. Committed to faith, family, freedom and limited government, Carlin pledges to put Iowa values first in Washington.
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