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Indianola Today
By the People, for the People
Democrat Nathan Sage ends campaign for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat
Sage cites inability to raise necessary funds to keep campaign viable
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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Nathan Sage, the first Democrat to announce a bid for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat, has ended his campaign. Sage, a native of Mason City who served in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps and previously worked in radio and as director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, said it was one of the hardest decisions of his life but that he was unable to raise the financial resources necessary to keep his campaign viable.
Why it matters
Sage's withdrawal leaves two other Democrats, Josh Turek of Council Bluffs and Zach Wahls of Coralville, still in the primary race for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who announced in September that she would not seek reelection. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson has announced she will seek the Iowa GOP's 2026 nomination for the Senate seat.
The details
Sage, a native of Mason City, served in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, worked in radio, and resigned as director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce last spring to campaign full time for the Senate seat. However, he was unable to raise the necessary financial resources to keep his campaign viable, leading him to make the difficult decision to end his campaign.
- Sage announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat in 2025.
- In September 2025, Sen. Joni Ernst announced she would not seek reelection.
- Also in September 2025, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson announced she would seek the Iowa GOP's 2026 nomination for the Senate seat.
The players
Nathan Sage
A native of Mason City, Iowa, who served in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, worked in radio, and resigned as director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce to campaign full time for the U.S. Senate seat.
Joni Ernst
The current Republican U.S. Senator from Iowa who announced in September 2025 that she would not seek reelection.
Ashley Hinson
A U.S. Representative from Iowa who announced in September 2025 that she would seek the Iowa GOP's 2026 nomination for the U.S. Senate seat.
Josh Turek
A Democrat from Council Bluffs, Iowa, who remains in the primary race for the U.S. Senate seat.
Zach Wahls
A Democrat from Coralville, Iowa, who remains in the primary race for the U.S. Senate seat.
What they’re saying
“It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I was unable to raise the financial resources necessary to keep my campaign viable.”
— Nathan Sage (RADIO IOWA)
The takeaway
Sage's withdrawal from the race leaves two other Democrats, Turek and Wahls, still competing for the chance to face the Republican nominee in the general election for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat. The race is shaping up to be a competitive one, with Rep. Hinson also seeking the GOP nomination.
