IA Senate: Joni Ernst (R)
PROFILE
About Ernst:
In 2014 Joni Ernst became the first woman elected to represent Iowa in federal office, and the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate.
A farmers’ daughter, Joni Ernst was taught to work hard, live simply, and help her neighbors. To pay for college, she worked construction jobs during the summer with her dad and made biscuits in the mornings at Hardees.
She served her country both in the Army Reserves and Iowa National Guard for over 23 years, including leading a unit in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom that drove convoys through Kuwait and Southern Iraq. She retired in 2015 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa National Guard, having served in every leadership position from platoon leader to battalion commander.
Upon returning from her overseas deployment, Ernst was elected as Montgomery County Auditor and later to the Iowa State Senate.
Whether it is working with Democrats or Republicans, Ernst has a proven record as an Iowan who works to find a path forward toward a brighter future with opportunity for all.