### J.D. Scholten Announces Senate Bid Against Joni Ernst After Controversial Remarks

In response to Sen. Joni Ernst's contentious comments at a town hall meeting, Democratic state Rep. J.D. Scholten has officially launched his campaign to unseat the Republican incumbent. “I felt compelled to run,” Scholten told POLITICO, emphasizing the urgency of his decision. Ernst's statement, "We're all going to die," in reaction to constituents' concerns about Medicaid cuts, was the catalyst for Scholten's announcement.

Scholten criticized Ernst's remarks as "disrespectful" to Iowans, suggesting that her policies prioritize the wealthy over everyday citizens. “We're removing people from Medicaid just so billionaires can buy another yacht or enjoy larger tax breaks,” Scholten remarked. He argued that the current system unfairly benefits billionaires and multinational corporations at the expense of ordinary Iowans.

At 45, Scholten is not new to political races even in predominantly Republican areas. Known also as a pitcher for the Sioux City Explorers, Scholten came close to defeating GOP Rep. Steve King in 2018 and attempted a rematch in 2020, though he ended up losing to Randy Feenstra by more than 20 points.

This time around, Scholten’s main opponent in the Democratic primary so far is Nathan Sage, the executive director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. However, other Democratic figures in Iowa, including State Sen. Zach Wahls and state Rep. Josh Turek, are also considering entering the race. Scholten hopes his previous attempts in federal races will establish him as the top contender for Democrats preparing for next year’s primary.

The upcoming race against Ernst promises to be challenging. Democrats have struggled to gain a foothold in Iowa's Senate since 2008, and former President Donald Trump won the state by 13 points in the last election. Scholten recognizes the need to appeal to Trump voters to secure a victory in the general election. “I believe that building trust and engaging directly with people will win votes, regardless of party affiliation,” he stated. "I know how to connect with voters who don’t typically support Democrats."