**J.D. Scholten Announces Senate Run Against Joni Ernst Following Controversial Medicaid Comments**

In a significant political development, Iowa state Representative J.D. Scholten has announced his candidacy to challenge Republican Senator Joni Ernst in the 2026 election. Scholten’s decision to enter the race was motivated in part by Ernst’s recent comments regarding potential Medicaid cuts, which drew considerable backlash.

During a town hall last week, Ernst faced intense scrutiny from attendees concerned about proposed Republican cuts to Medicaid as part of a bill supporting former President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. The situation escalated when one constituent, voicing fears over the potential impact of the cuts, exclaimed, “People are going to die!” Ernst’s response, “Well, we’re all going to die,” sparked immediate criticism and captured national attention.

Speaking to ABC News, Scholten explained that the incident deeply resonated with him, underscoring the need for what he believes to be more compassionate and effective leadership. "We need better leadership than that," Scholten asserted, reflecting on Ernst’s remarks.

Further inflaming the situation, Ernst later issued a sardonic apology in a video posted from a cemetery. In her statement, she mocked the reaction to her comments, saying, "I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth. So I apologize, and I'm really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well."

Scholten is no stranger to high-stakes political battles. In 2018, he narrowly missed unseating far-right Congressman Steve King. While he lost the 2020 race for King’s former seat to Republican Randy Feenstra by a larger margin, he currently serves as a state representative for the Sioux City area.

If he successfully secures the Democratic nomination, Scholten plans to campaign vigorously on key issues including trade policy, seeking to hold the Trump administration accountable for its impact on Iowa's soybean farmers amid the trade war with China.

While some of Iowa’s congressional districts are expected to be competitive, the state has not elected a Democratic senator since 2008. Nonetheless, Scholten remains undeterred, ready to take on the challenge in what promises to be a closely watched race.