Nathan Sage Suspends Campaign for U.S. Senate

Grassroots candidate cites inability to raise necessary funds to remain viable

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Nathan Sage, a Marine veteran, mechanic, sports radio host, and former Executive Director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, has announced the suspension of his campaign for the United States Senate. Sage cited the financial realities of modern political campaigns and his inability to raise the necessary funds to keep his grassroots campaign viable.

Why it matters

Sage's decision highlights the challenges faced by political outsiders and grassroots candidates in an era of increasing money in politics. His campaign was positioned as a voice for working-class Iowans, and his withdrawal underscores concerns about the role of wealth and influence in the political process.

The details

In his statement, Sage expressed the difficulty of his decision, noting that he ran because he believes "working people deserve a voice in Washington that is not controlled by special interests or corporate power." However, he acknowledged that "the reality of living in America right now is all about the haves and the have nots" and that his campaign simply could not raise the financial resources necessary to compete effectively.

  • Sage announced the suspension of his campaign on February 15, 2026.

The players

Nathan Sage

A Marine veteran, mechanic, sports radio host, and former Executive Director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce who was running for the United States Senate.

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What they’re saying

“Today, I share news that weighs heavily on my heart. After thoughtful conversations with my family, my team, and trusted supporters, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to end my campaign for the United States Senate.”

— Nathan Sage, Candidate for U.S. Senate (westerniowatoday.com)

“Running to represent Iowans has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I have always been honest about the impact of money in my personal story, but that reality is even more undeniable when running for office. As a true grassroots campaign, we simply were unable to raise the financial resources necessary to keep this campaign viable.”

— Nathan Sage, Candidate for U.S. Senate (westerniowatoday.com)

What’s next

Sage says this is not goodbye and that he will continue fighting for working-class people and pushing for elected leaders and a government that truly listens to and fights for their voices in Washington.

The takeaway

Sage's decision to suspend his campaign highlights the significant financial barriers faced by grassroots candidates in modern politics, underscoring concerns about the outsized influence of money in the political process and the challenges for political outsiders to gain a foothold in the system.