Iowa Voters Demand Change As 2026 Midterms Loom

On the windswept plains of Iowa, where the rhythm of daily life is set by the seasons and the steady march of cattle, the 2026 midterm elections are already stirring debate and reflection among voters. One year into Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. President, the state’s political landscape is shifting, with fresh calls for congressional term limits and a renewed focus on the everyday concerns of rural Americans.

Michael McGuire, a candidate for New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, made headlines on January 19, 2026, when he signed a pledge supporting a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of Congress. According to U.S. Term Limits, the nation’s leading nonpartisan group advocating for such reforms, McGuire’s commitment reflects a growing appetite among Americans for change in Washington. The pledge, as outlined by U.S. Term Limits, reads: “I pledge that as a member of Congress, I will cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) House terms and two (2) Senate terms and no longer limit.”

Philip Blumel, president of U.S. Term Limits, praised McGuire’s decision, saying, “Michael’s strong support of term limits shows that there are individuals who are willing to put self-interest aside to follow the will of the people. America needs a Congress that will be served by citizen legislators, not career politicians.” The organization now boasts over 150 pledge signers in Congress, underscoring the momentum behind the movement.

The push for term limits is not just a Beltway issue. In the fields of Kellerton, Iowa, Shanen Ebersole tends to her cows with a watchful eye, reflecting on the disconnect she feels between her life and the priorities of lawmakers in Washington. “I wish Washington could get along like cows,” Ebersole remarked, her voice tinged with both humor and exasperation. “They need to find a way to get along for us, because that’s what we the taxpayers pay them to do.”

Ebersole, who supported Nikki Haley early in the 2024 election cycle but ultimately voted for Trump, now finds herself wrestling with what she calls “Trump exhaustion.” She gives Trump’s first year back in office a middling 3 out of 5, noting that while the economy feels a bit better and illegal border crossings are down, she’s troubled by decisions like the increase in low-tariff beef imports from Argentina—hardly the “America First” she expected. And as for the president’s musings about taking control of Greenland? “I don’t agree with that in any way, shape or form,” she said. “We need to take care of the 50 states that we have.”

Ebersole’s frustration with Washington runs deeper than any single policy. She’s critical of career politicians, including her own representative, Zach Nunn, whom she accuses of being more interested in fundraising and power than in the needs of family farmers like herself. “We want change,” she insisted. “We need more freshness.” Ebersole’s support for term limits is echoed in a recent Pew Research poll, which found that 87% of adults favor limiting congressional terms, with 56% strongly in favor and only 12% opposed.

While Ebersole’s views are her own, they speak to a broader mood in Iowa—a state that has become a Republican stronghold over the past decade. Trump carried Iowa in all three of his presidential runs, with his share of the vote increasing each time. The last Democratic governor left office in 2011, and the last Democratic U.S. senator departed in 2015. All four of Iowa’s House seats are currently held by Republicans, but at least two districts, including the 3rd, are seen as competitive in this year’s midterms.

Betsy Sarcone, who lives in the bustling Des Moines suburbs, offers a different perspective. Once a Ron DeSantis and then Nikki Haley supporter, Sarcone now gives Trump’s first year back in office an A-minus. “I got what I voted for. And I think Trump has proved himself. There’s that saying, ‘Trump is always right. Trump was right about everything.’ That’s kind of how I am feeling right now.” Sarcone credits Trump’s policies for improving the economy and securing the border, issues she feels were neglected under Biden. Her support for her local representative, Zach Nunn, remains strong, particularly after the passage of a school-choice program that benefits her family.

Yet, the political winds are not blowing in just one direction. Chris Mudd, CEO of Midwest Solar in Waterloo, is another staunch Trump supporter. He’s unwavering in his belief that the 2020 election was stolen, a view that has gained traction among some in the MAGA media sphere. Mudd’s business faced setbacks when Trump rolled back green-energy initiatives, but he remains optimistic, citing high electricity prices as a boon for solar sales. “My life is similar,” he said, “but my optimism is greater because I believe the things that Trump is doing are good for the country.”

Still, Mudd acknowledges that Trump’s support may have waned in Iowa. “There are some people who read the headlines and they have a hard time defending it,” he said. “I don’t. I believe negative things happen regardless of who is in power.” For Mudd, the stakes in November are high: “We need to win November, because I think they are going to try to impeach him. It’s going to cause havoc for the country.”

On the other side of the political fence, local Democrats in rural Iowa are gearing up for a fight. In towns like Columbus Junction, where Trump won 70% of the vote in 2024, Democratic activists like Michele Pegg are organizing voter registration drives and canvassing efforts. Pegg is candid about the challenges her party faces. “I think that unfortunately there’s been a history of Democrats focusing on power places like Des Moines or Johnson County or some of the more university or non-rural areas,” she said. “You know, people don’t even know where we’re at.”

Pegg is determined to change that, urging Democratic candidates to “go down to a rural county. Go down a highway. Go down a gravel road. Go down a Class B road. Knock on a door.” She believes that despite disappointment in Trump among some voters, the Democratic brand remains damaged in rural areas and will require significant effort to rebuild trust.

The coming months will test whether the calls for term limits and fresh faces in Congress can translate into electoral gains, and whether Democrats can make inroads in a state that has trended red for over a decade. As the 2026 midterms approach, Iowa’s voters—whether tending cattle, running businesses, or knocking on doors—are making it clear that they expect more from their leaders. In the end, the outcome may hinge on which party can best connect with the realities of life down Iowa’s gravel roads.