{"id":32037,"date":"2025-11-06T23:39:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T23:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=32037"},"modified":"2025-11-06T23:39:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T23:39:13","slug":"maga-celebrates-as-notorious-rino-senator-known-for-attacking-pete-hegseth-announces-she-is-quitting-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=32037","title":{"rendered":"MAGA Celebrates as Notorious RINO Senator Known for Attacking Pete Hegseth Announces She Is Quitting Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Senator Joni Ernst, Iowa\u2019s first female combat veteran in the U.S. Senate, has officially announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, ending years of speculation about her political future. Her decision marks a turning point for the state\u2019s Republican Party, drawing cheers from some MAGA-aligned conservatives who long criticized her as a \u201cRepublican In Name Only.\u201d<\/p><div class=\"khgyg69fed54226b4b\" ><div style=\"width:100%; max-width:1200px; margin:0 auto;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/bolt-casino.com?r=0BFDBF1283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    <img \n      src=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f8693ebb-2018-480f-a2f7-0096810c07f0.jpg\" \n      alt=\"200% Deposit Bonus + 10% Cashback\" \n      style=\"width:100%; height:auto; display:block; border-radius:8px; cursor:pointer;\"\n    \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 1201px) {\r\n.khgyg69fed54226b4b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) {\r\n.khgyg69fed54226b4b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) {\r\n.khgyg69fed54226b4b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) {\r\n.khgyg69fed54226b4b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {\r\n.khgyg69fed54226b4b {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\n<p>Ernst delivered her announcement in a heartfelt video, reflecting on her decades of public service. \u201cServing as your United States Senator has been the honor of my life,\u201d she said. \u201cFrom working on my family\u2019s farm to serving over two decades in the Army Reserves and Iowa National Guard, and now in the Senate, I\u2019ve been blessed to dedicate my life to our state and our country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While moderates praised her dedication and pragmatic approach, her departure was met with celebration among populist conservatives who saw her attempts at bipartisanship as a betrayal of core GOP values. Over the years, Ernst faced increasing scrutiny for opposing certain Trump-era initiatives, including a rumored cabinet nomination for conservative media figure Pete Hegseth, which drew sharp backlash from hardline voters.<\/p>\n<p>Ernst\u2019s critics branded her a \u201cRINO,\u201d accusing her of siding with Washington insiders and straying from grassroots priorities. On social media, her retirement sparked immediate commentary, with conservative activists hailing it as an opportunity for Iowa to elect a more \u201cAmerica First\u201d senator in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the criticism, Ernst emphasized that her decision was guided by family, not politics. \u201cHaving been raised in a family who gave me so much love and support, now as our family ages and grows, it\u2019s time for me to give back,\u201d she explained. Her announcement highlighted her gratitude for her journey from small-town Iowa to the halls of Congress, acknowledging her 11-year tenure as a first for women combat veterans in the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>Ernst also reviewed her legislative accomplishments, pointing to efforts in reducing government waste, supporting farmers, strengthening the military, and advancing women\u2019s protections. While these achievements were praised by some, her departure underscores the shifting political landscape in Iowa, where populist forces have increasingly dominated the Republican base.<\/p>\n<p>Political analysts note that Ernst\u2019s retirement signals a generational and ideological shift within the GOP. Rachel Klein of Drake University explained, \u201cJoni Ernst\u2019s departure marks the end of a kind of Republican leadership that valued compromise. The party\u2019s base has changed, and moderation is now seen as disloyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Iowa Senate race is already drawing attention, with speculation about potential candidates such as Representative Ashley Hinson, Governor Kim Reynolds, and businessman Gary Leffler. Ernst\u2019s exit not only opens a competitive primary but also symbolizes the transition from traditional conservatism to a party shaped by loyalty tests and populist energy.<\/p>\n<p>As Ernst concludes her Senate career, she remains committed to her constituents. \u201cI\u2019m not slowing down anytime soon,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ll keep fighting to make Iowans\u2019 voices heard in Washington. Though this chapter is closing, I will always find ways to serve my community, state, and nation.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Her legacy is one of service, resilience, and quiet dignity \u2014 a bridge between the GOP\u2019s past and its populist future. Iowa voters now face the task of deciding what kind of conservatism will lead their state forward.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you think?<\/strong>\u00a0Will Ernst\u2019s departure reshape Iowa politics, or is this the beginning of a new era for the Republican Party? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senator Joni Ernst, Iowa\u2019s first female combat veteran in the U.S. Senate, has officially announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, ending years of speculation about her political future. Her decision marks a turning point for the state\u2019s Republican Party, drawing cheers from some MAGA-aligned conservatives who long criticized her as a \u201cRepublican In&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[19,17,11,20,24,15,12,25,22,18,16,21,14,23,13],"class_list":["post-32037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-chronic-diseases","tag-fitness","tag-health-tips","tag-healthcare-technology","tag-healthy-lifestyle","tag-healthy-living","tag-medical-advice","tag-medical-awareness","tag-medical-research","tag-mental-health","tag-nutrition","tag-patient-care","tag-preventive-care","tag-public-health","tag-wellness"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>MAGA Celebrates as Notorious RINO Senator Known for Attacking Pete Hegseth Announces She Is Quitting Congress - VM News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=32037\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MAGA Celebrates as Notorious RINO Senator Known for Attacking Pete Hegseth Announces She Is Quitting Congress - VM News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Senator Joni Ernst, Iowa\u2019s first female combat veteran in the U.S. Senate, has officially announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, ending years of speculation about her political future. 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