Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines School Board, has decided to end her 2026 Iowa Senate campaign. This decision comes in light of the recent arrest and resignation of the district’s superintendent.
In a statement, Norris mentioned that the ongoing situation at Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) required her full focus as board president. “This crisis made the school board, my community, and me the targets of a systematic attack,” she stated. She also expressed that these challenges diverted her attention away from her primary goal: advocating for children, families, and the educators who are essential to the community.
The superintendent, Ian Roberts, was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month. Having moved to the U.S. from Guyana on a student visa back in 1999, Roberts is believed to have violated a removal order issued by a judge in May 2024.
A few days after his arrest, Roberts stepped down from his role. He faces charges related to possessing a firearm while in the U.S. illegally.
Before Roberts’ resignation, the district had believed him to be a U.S. citizen and was unaware of any issues regarding his immigration status. Recently, DMPS announced plans to sue JG Consulting, the firm Roberts employed to perform a background check prior to his hiring in 2023.
Norris emphasized the need to lead the board through this transitional phase while searching for a new leader for DMPS. She affirmed her commitment to her community and vowed to support Democratic efforts to succeed in the forthcoming election.
The race for Iowa’s Senate seat in 2026 is becoming more competitive, especially after Senator Joni Ernst (R) announced she wouldn’t seek a third term.
This has led to a crowded Republican primary field, with former President Trump endorsing Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson for the nomination. On the Democratic side, former state Rep. Bob Krause and current state Reps. Richard Sherzan, Josh Turek, and Zach Walls are in the running as well. Nonpartisan analysts at Cook Political Report currently rate the race as leaning toward the Republicans.
