WATCH: Zach Wahls, JD Scholten, Nathan Sage and the race against Joni Ernst (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #28
Tthree Democrats have officially entered the race to challenge Joni Ernst's Senate seat in 2026, setting up what could be Iowa's most consequential election in years.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker break down the growing field of Senate candidates - from Zach Wahls' viral 2011 gay marriage testimony to JD Scholten's anti-monopoly crusade and Nathan Sage's f-bomb-filled populist campaign. We also explore Ernst's vulnerabilities, from her "we're all going to die" healthcare gaffe to her flip-flop on the Hegseth nomination after MAGA pressure.
Also, the dangers of corporate Pride. Perry's second chance. And a one-on-one with Wahls.
*LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS:*
- YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju
- Substack - https://cornholechampions.substack.com/
- Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornhole-champions-podcast/id1779497714
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64
- PocketCasts - https://pca.st/74atty1j
... and everywhere you listen to podcasts
SHOW RUNDOWN:
00:00 - Relay Iowa Recap - Zach's 339-Mile Van Driving "Heroics" Across the State
02:35 - 2026 Senate Race Preview - Why This Six-Year Term Matters for Iowa
03:35 - Senate Power Structure - 100 Senators vs 435 House Members and Iowa's Outsized Voice
04:00 - Farm Bill Influence - Grassley and Ernst's Agriculture Committee Roles
06:30 - Joni Ernst's Background - From Montgomery County Auditor to "Make Them Squeal"
07:06 - The Hog Castration Ad - Avery's Foundational Political Moment at Age 13
08:30 - Ernst's Voting Record - COVID Relief Opposition and Voting Restrictions
09:25 - "We're All Going to Die" - Ernst's Callous Healthcare Response
09:30 - The Hegseth Flip-Flop - Ernst Caves to MAGA Pressure on Defense Secretary
12:00 - Term Limits Hypocrisy - Ernst's 2014 Promise vs 2026 Campaign Reality
13:30 - Jim Carlin's Primary Challenge - The "America First" Conservative vs "DC Joni"
16:30 - Zach Wahls Enters the Race - From 2011 Viral Speech to Senate Campaign
17:00 - Wahls' Gay Marriage Testimony - Defending Two Moms in Iowa Legislature
21:00 - JD Scholten's Anti-Monopoly Message - Baseball Player Turned Economic Populist
24:30 - Nathan Sage's F-Bomb Campaign - Marine Veteran's Working Class Appeal
26:30 - Sage's Profanity Strategy - Every Press Release Needs an F-Bomb
29:00 - Trans Rights Debate - Avery's Concerns About Economic vs Social Issue Priorities
30:00 - The Civil Rights Reality Check - Housing Protections vs Sports Distractions
*Follow Zachary Oren Smith on social media:*
- Twitter - https://x.com/zacharyos
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zacharyosmith
- Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social
- Threads - https://www.threads.com/@zachosmith
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/
*Follow Iowa Starting Line on social media:*
-Twitter - https://twitter.com/iastartingline
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IowaStartingLine
- TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@iowastartingline
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iowastartingline
- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w
