Des Moines school board chair Norris enters Iowa Senate race

Niels Lesniewski, CQ-Roll Call on Aug 5, 2025

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WASHINGTON — Des Moines school board chair Jackie Norris on Tuesday launched her bid for Senate in Iowa, seeking the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.

Norris, a Democrat, has a significant political background. She worked on Barack Obama’s Iowa campaign operation and served as chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama for the beginning of the Obama administration.

“As a teacher and a school board member, you see the invisible burdens that Iowa families are carrying ” Norris said in her campaign launch video, highlighting her time as a school teacher. “Right now, too many families can’t afford to put food on the table and make ends meet. We have to find a way to make things more affordable for families.”

Her husband, John Norris, has been active in Iowa and national politics as well, including multiple roles for former governor and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. He also served on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and at the U.S. mission to the United Nations agencies in Rome.

The Democratic field for Senate in Iowa already includes Nathan Sage, state Rep. J.D. Scholten and state Sen. Zach Wahls. Scholten is a two-time congressional candidate.

The Des Moines Register reported this week that state Rep. Josh Turek, a gold medal-winning Paralympian, is also considering entering the Democratic primary.

On the Republican side, Ernst has not yet formally announced whether she is running for reelection in 2026, leading to some speculation that she may retire. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the Iowa Senate contest as Likely Republican.