Campaign Almanac: Democratic Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Zach Wahls posts first campaign ad

The first campaign ad from Iowa Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Zach Wahls criticizes Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst for not adhering to her 2014 campaign pledge to serve only two terms in the Senate.

Wahls, a state legislator from Coralville, is one of three Democrats campaigning in Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate election.

Sioux City state legislator J.D. Scholten and Indianola Chamber of Commerce leader Nathan Sage also are seeking the Democratic nomination in Iowa’s U.S. Senate election.

Ernst, who is completing her second, six-year term in the Senate, has not said whether she will seek re-election in 2026, although she hired a campaign manager earlier this month. Republican former state legislator Jim Carlin has announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Wahls announced his candidacy on June 11. His first campaign ad, titled “No bacon,” highlights Ernst, in a 2014 Republican primary debate, saying she would serve only two terms in the Senate. The ad also references Ernst’s well-known 2014 campaign pledge that she would “Make ‘em squeal” in the Senate.

“Joni Ernst promised she’d make ‘em squeal. Instead, she became part of the Washington swamp,” Wahls said in a news release. “Iowans are tired of politicians who say one thing and do another. This campaign is about having the courage to stand up against the broken status quo and delivering results for hardworking Iowans and their families for a change.”

The primary election in Iowa is June 2, 2026.

Ernst names campaign fundraiser’s charity beneficiary

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Blue Star Mothers of Iowa will be the charity beneficiary of Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” fundraiser.

Ernst chooses a military-themed charity organization each year to benefit from the motorcycle ride portion of her fundraiser.

Blue Star Mothers of America works to care for deployed troops and their families.

“These are our Iowa sons and daughters — whether by blood or by bond, they belong to all of us. That’s why the Blue Star Mothers of Iowa are so honored to be part of Iowa’s Roast and Ride, an incredible event that supports our deployed troops and Iowa’s veterans,” Blue Star Mothers of Iowa spokeswoman April Conway said in an Ernst campaign news release. “Together, we can make sure every deployed Iowan in uniform feels the love from home.”

Ernst’s 2025 Roast and Ride is scheduled for Oct. 11 in Des Moines. The motorcycle ride will start at 10 a.m. at Big Barn Harley-Davidson. Tickets for the ride are $20 and can be purchased at iowasroastandride.com.

The hog roast and program is scheduled for 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, with doors opening at 11 a.m. Tickets for the roast are free but must be reserved in advance at iowasroastandride.com.

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