Iowa Politics Heat Up: J.D. Scholten and India May Challenge Joni Ernst Amid Medicaid Controversy
Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten and newcomer India May enter the political fray, challenging Sen. Joni Ernst after her controversial Medicaid comments.
Overview
Iowa state Rep. J.D. Scholten has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, spurred by Sen. Joni Ernst's controversial remarks on Medicaid cuts during a town hall. Scholten's entry signals a growing Democratic challenge ahead of the 2026 elections. Meanwhile, India May, a 33-year-old Democrat from Charles City, is running for the Iowa House after gaining attention for shouting, "people will die!" at Ernst during the same town hall. Ernst defended her comments, emphasizing the need for Medicaid reforms, while her sarcastic apology video has drawn further criticism, intensifying the political landscape in Iowa.
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Analysis
- The articles highlight the controversy surrounding Senator Joni Ernst's comments on Medicaid, showcasing mixed reactions from political figures.
- Criticism of Ernst's remarks is evident, particularly from Democratic candidate J.D. Scholten, who calls for better leadership.
- India May's activism is positively portrayed, emphasizing her commitment to healthcare and advocacy for vulnerable populations.
Articles (7)
Center (4)
"…In the wake of the town hall, May capitalized on the resulting attention by launching her campaign for the Iowa House of Representatives in 2026."
USA TODAY·1M·"…Ernst's now-viral musings on mortality came during a contentious town hall meeting Friday, as attendees grilled the senator about a GOP-backed domestic policy bill that passed the House last month."
CBS News·1M·"…Ernst faced a number of agitated constituents at a town hall on Friday who expressed concerns that Republican cuts to Medicaid in the bill that would fund Trump's legislative agenda."
ABC News·1M·"…Scholten, from northwest Iowa, was first elected to the statehouse in 2023 after twice losing congressional races in Iowa’s reliably conservative 4th Congressional District."
ABC News·1M·FAQ
J.D. Scholten was prompted to announce his candidacy after U.S. Senator Joni Ernst made controversial comments about Medicaid cuts during a town hall meeting.
At a town hall, when an attendee shouted that people would die from Medicaid cuts, Sen. Ernst responded by saying, 'Well, we all are going to die.'
Besides J.D. Scholten, another potential challenger for U.S. Senate mentioned but not yet official are Sen. Zach Wahls and Rep. Josh Turek. Additionally, India May is running for the Iowa House.
The 2026 U.S. Senate election in Iowa is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
History
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3 articles