Joni Ernst is Iowa’s freshman U.S. Senator, first elected in November 2014. After graduating from Iowa State University, Ernst joined the U.S. Army Reserves and served for 23 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard.
Race Briefs
Race Brief: IA-01 (Finkenauer)
Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer was elected to represent Iowa’s first congressional district in 2018. Prior to running for Congress, Finkenauer was a member of the Iowa House of Representatives where she had served since 2014.
Race Brief: Iowa-02 (OPEN)
When seven-term Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) announced that he would not seek re-election in 2020, it created a rare pickup opportunity for Republicans. The district only has a PVI of D+1 and President Trump carried the district by four points in 2016. Expect Republicans to target the seat in their quest to retake the House next year.
Race Brief: Maine Senate (Collins)
Mainers voted for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the last two presidential elections. Although Republican Susan Collins continues to have strong approval ratings, Democrats are expected to target this seat as a possible pickup opportunity.
Race Brief: Utah-04 (McAdams)
Utah’s 4th Congressional District is a Republican-leaning swing district that has changed party hands three times since 2012. The 2018 midterm election in UT-04 had one of the closest margins in the country, with Democrat Ben McAdams defeating incumbent Rep. Mia Love (R-UT) by a fraction of a point. This seat is likely to be a top target for Republicans in 2020.
Race Brief: South Carolina-01 (Cunningham)
South Carolina’s 1st District has historically been a Republican stronghold, with both Donald Trump & Mitt Romney carrying the district by double digits. In 2018, however, political newcomer Joe Cunningham (D-SC) defeated Republican Katie Arrington in one of the closest House races in the country. The 1st District is expected to be a top target for Republicans in 2020.
Race Brief: Arizona Senate (McSally)
Following a close loss in the 2018 Arizona Senate race, Martha McSally was nominated by Gov. Doug Ducey to replace the late-Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) in December 2018. Sworn into office in January 2019, McSally will participate in a special election to serve the remainder of Sen. McCain’s term in November 2020.
Race Brief: Virginia-02 (Luria)
Former Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA) lost his first reelection campaign to Navy veteran Elaine Luria (D-VA) last year. The 2nd District, located in Virginia Beach, has historically voted Republican but Luria was able to secure a 2-point victory in 2018.
Race Brief: Virginia-07 (Spanberger)
Located in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia’s 7th District has traditionally voted Republican. In 2014, conservative Dave Brat defeated then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a shocking primary upset. Brat cruised to reelection in 2016 before falling to former CIA operative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) by 2 points in 2018.
Race Brief: Oklahoma-05 (Horn)
For over ten years, Oklahoma’s 5th District has been a Republican stronghold, with GOP candidates normally carrying the seat by double-digit margins. In 2018, however, Democratic newcomer Kendra Horn scored a victory with a narrow win over two-term incumbent Steve Russell. Republicans will look to win back the seat in 2020.