Iowa’s Norris says it’s ‘time for an educator’ in U.S. Senate campaign launch

DES MOINES — Saying “It’s time for an educator in the Senate,” Des Moines school board member Jackie Norris launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

Norris, a Democrat, also is a former high school government and history teacher and small business owner.

“I see firsthand the invisible burdens that our families are carrying. So when government cuts programs for hungry kids, when government makes it harder to access health care in rural communities especially, but all across the state, and when wages are so low that parents have to work two jobs, government is turning its back on families,” Norris said. “And I think that’s a really important message that I want to bring on this campaign.”

Norris becomes the fourth Democrat running in Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate election, joining state legislators Zach Wahls of Coralville and J.D. Scholten of Sioux City, and Nathan Sage, a former chamber of commerce leader from Indianola.

Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has not yet said whether she plans to seek a third, six-year term next year.

Iowa’s 2026 U.S. Senate election, in the views of national forecasters, is rated “likely Republican” by Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the Cook Political Report and Inside Elections.

Norris’ political experience includes working on former Gov. Tom Vilsack’s first gubernatorial campaign in 1998 and Barack Obama’s 2008 Iowa caucus campaign. Norris also worked in both Democratic and Republican presidents, including as former First Lady Michelle Obama’s chief of staff.

Jackie Norris’ husband John ran for Iowa governor in 2018. Jackie and John have three adult children, two of which are enrolled at U.S. military academies.

Jackie Norris is chair of the Des Moines school board and is president of Horizon Group, a market research and management consulting business in West Des Moines. She is a former CEO of Goodwill of Central Iowa.

“I’m bringing my whole self to this campaign,” Norris said, adding that she will bring the perspective of an educator, small business owner, nonprofit leader and military parent to her campaign, and noting thus far she is the only woman in the Democratic primary field.

In education, Norris said she would like the U.S. Senate to address the affordability of access to preschool and mental health care challenges in schools.

“We have a mental health crisis, and we need to make sure that schools have the infrastructure to support kids that are navigating anxiety and depression,” Norris said. “There’s too few providers right now available in schools, especially in rural communities.”

Norris also stressed education should have a “21st century learning model,” including pathways to careers like apprenticeships and accreditation.

Norris said she also plans to hear from voters and talk about economic issues like rising costs, the impact of federal trade policy on agriculture, and federal Republicans’ recent move to reduce Medicaid spending.

Norris said she will talk about contrasts with Ernst, and that she hopes to listen to Iowans’ concerns on the campaign trail.

“My whole career has been focused on listening, and I think it’s really important that I go out there and I listen to people, because that makes good policy. Those stories inform policy,” Norris said. “I think a lot of people just go out there and talk and tell people what they believe in, and they don’t listen enough.

“So I think you’re going to see a combination of me trying to introduce myself to voters and letting them know who I am, the values that are at my core and what motivates me to run. And at the same time, you’re going to see me asking a lot of questions. I’m curious. I think it’s important to hear from people.”

Iowa’s 2026 primary election is June 2.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

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