Iowa GOP Sen Joni Ernst will not seek reelection: Report

Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst will not seek reelection next year, according to a report.

She has decided against seeking reelection to a third term, two unnamed sources told CNN, and is poised to make an announcement next week. Ernst, 55, has been thinking about the decision for months, but began telling friends in recent days.

Upon Ernst's retirement, there will be an open Senate seat in Iowa. Rep. Ashley Hinson is preparing to jump into the race, according to one GOP official.

Democrats have already jumped into the Senate primary race, including Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek, state Sen. Zach Wahls, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce executive director Nathan Sage, and Des Moines School Board chair Jackie Norris.

Ernst was first elected in 2014 on a promise to cut government spending with her signature slogan, “Make ‘em squeal.”