Republican senators are gearing up for the possibility of primary challenges ahead of the 2026 midterms as they seek to navigate the new political environment of a second Trump administration.
Taking out a sitting senator in a primary would be no easy task, but some in the right flank of the party have flirted with challenging incumbents who voted to convict President-elect Trump in his impeachment trial in 2021 or have more recently expressed reservations about his Cabinet picks.
Here are five Republican senators who could face primary challenges ahead of 2026.
Joni Ernst
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) addresses reporters after the weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is facing criticism from a number of Trump allies for raising doubts about Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon.
The senator is seen as a key swing vote on Hegseth. She is the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate and has been a vocal advocate for addressing sexual misconduct in the military. Hegseth, on the other hand, has faced sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies, and has said in the past he would like to block women from serving in combat roles in the military.
Iowa conservative media personality Steve Deace suggested this week on the social platform X that he would be willing to run against Ernst in 2026. Meanwhile, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird criticized “D.C. politicians” in a Breitbart op-ed earlier this week in which she called on the Senate to confirm Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Bird’s spokesperson said the article, which was widely seen as a warning shot, was about the entire Senate.
The comments followed Ernst’s initial cool public feedback to Hegseth. She has since seemed to change tune, offering support to the Pentagon nominee.
On Friday, Hegseth told Fox News that Republican senators should not be primaried if they vote against him.
Other Republican senators have also come out in support of Ernst during the process.
“The approach is going to be, ‘Everybody toe the line. Everybody line up. We got you here, and if you want to survive, you better be good. Don't get on Santa's naughty list here, because we will primary you,’” Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) said during a recent discussion hosted by the centrist group No Labels.
“My friend Joni Ernst, who is probably one of the more conservative, principled Republican leaders in the Senate right now, is being hung out to dry for not being good enough.”
Ernst also has received praise from her GOP allies for her work as the founder and chair of the Senate DOGE Caucus, which is a nod to Trump’s "Department of Government Efficiency."
Thom Tillis
Sen.........