Revision as of 16:37, 14 May 2014 editCwobeel (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers29,217 edits →2014 U.S. Senate election: attributing per WP:NPOV← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:42, 14 May 2014 edit undoCFredkin (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users8,176 edits →2014 U.S. Senate election: More content from source and rm POV commentary that is not particularly notable.Next edit → | ||
Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
Ernst received widespread attention for a campaign advert she released in March 2014 where she argued that her experience castrating pigs makes her qualified to cut "]" in Congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred |url=http://time.com/36955/iowa-senate-candidate-says-castration-gives-her-conservative-cred/ |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=In Politics, Hog Castration Cuts Through The Ad Clutter |url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/03/28/295949340/in-politics-hog-castration-cuts-through-the-ad-clutter |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=NPR |date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> Many found the ad to be humorous<ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred |url=http://time.com/36955/iowa-senate-candidate-says-castration-gives-her-conservative-cred/ |accessdate=April 18, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How did John Boehner's opponent get his campaign ad to go viral? Humor. (+video) |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2014/0415/How-did-John-Boehner-s-opponent-get-his-campaign-ad-to-go-viral-Humor.-video |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=Christian Science Monitor |date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> and it was spoofed by late-night comedians including ] and ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Jimmy Fallon cringes at Joni Ernst's hog-castration ad |url=http://archive.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140325/NEWS09/303250154/Jimmy-Fallon-cringes-Joni-Ernst-s-hog-castration-ad |accessdate=April 19, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Colbert: I'm pulling for Joni Ernst 'whole hog, or whatever's left' |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/27/colbert-im-pulling-for-joni-ernst-whole-hog-or-whatevers-left/6955697/ |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 27, 2014}}</ref> but some found it to be in bad taste.<ref>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst 'Castrating Hogs' Ad: Republican Iowa Senate Candidate Stirs Controversy With Offbeat Campaign Spot |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/joni-ernst-castrating-hogs-ad-republican-iowa-senate-candidate-stirs-controversy-offbeat-campaign |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=International Business Times |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref> Before the ad aired, despite being supported by the Republican establishment, Ernst had struggled in fundraising,<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses "hog castrator" Jodi Ernst in Iowa Senate race |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sarah-palin-endorses-hog-castrator-jodi-ernst-in-iowa-senate-race/ |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=CBS News |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Fix’s fourth-quarter fundraising winners and losers |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/02/03/the-fixs-fourth-quarter-fundraising-winners-and-losers/ |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=CBS News |date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> and two polls of the Republican primary taken in February 2014 had shown her in second place, several points behind opponent Mark Jacobs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses ‘pork-cutting’ Joni Ernst in Iowa |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/sarah-palin-endorses-joni-ernst-iowa-105059.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=Politico |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Aims to Be Iowa's First Female Senator |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/03/09/ernst_aims_to_be_iowas_first_female_senator_121849.html |accessdate=April 18, 2014 |newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=March 9, 2014}}</ref> After it aired, a Suffolk University poll in early April showed her with a narrow lead and a Loras College poll showed her essentially tied with Jacobs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Narrowly Leads GOP Field in Iowa Senate Race |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/04/09/ernst_narrowly_leads_gop_field_in_iowa_senate_race_122223.html |accessdate=April 9, 2014 |newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=April 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Poll: Joni Ernst Takes Lead in Iowa GOP Senate Primary |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/poll-joni-ernst-takes-lead-iowa-gop-senate-primary_786717.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=Weekly Standard |date=April 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jacobs, Ernst tied in inaugural Loras Poll |url=http://www.thonline.com/blogs/tri_state_politics/article_a13f2644-c3f2-11e3-a183-001a4bcf6878.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=TH Online |date=April 14, 2014}}</ref> | Ernst received widespread attention for a campaign advert she released in March 2014 where she argued that her experience castrating pigs makes her qualified to cut "]" in Congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred |url=http://time.com/36955/iowa-senate-candidate-says-castration-gives-her-conservative-cred/ |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=In Politics, Hog Castration Cuts Through The Ad Clutter |url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/03/28/295949340/in-politics-hog-castration-cuts-through-the-ad-clutter |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=NPR |date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> Many found the ad to be humorous<ref>{{cite news |title=Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred |url=http://time.com/36955/iowa-senate-candidate-says-castration-gives-her-conservative-cred/ |accessdate=April 18, 2014 |newspaper=Time |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How did John Boehner's opponent get his campaign ad to go viral? Humor. (+video) |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2014/0415/How-did-John-Boehner-s-opponent-get-his-campaign-ad-to-go-viral-Humor.-video |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=Christian Science Monitor |date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> and it was spoofed by late-night comedians including ] and ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Jimmy Fallon cringes at Joni Ernst's hog-castration ad |url=http://archive.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140325/NEWS09/303250154/Jimmy-Fallon-cringes-Joni-Ernst-s-hog-castration-ad |accessdate=April 19, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Colbert: I'm pulling for Joni Ernst 'whole hog, or whatever's left' |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/27/colbert-im-pulling-for-joni-ernst-whole-hog-or-whatevers-left/6955697/ |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=March 27, 2014}}</ref> but some found it to be in bad taste.<ref>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst 'Castrating Hogs' Ad: Republican Iowa Senate Candidate Stirs Controversy With Offbeat Campaign Spot |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/joni-ernst-castrating-hogs-ad-republican-iowa-senate-candidate-stirs-controversy-offbeat-campaign |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |newspaper=International Business Times |date=March 25, 2014}}</ref> Before the ad aired, despite being supported by the Republican establishment, Ernst had struggled in fundraising,<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses "hog castrator" Jodi Ernst in Iowa Senate race |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sarah-palin-endorses-hog-castrator-jodi-ernst-in-iowa-senate-race/ |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=CBS News |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Fix’s fourth-quarter fundraising winners and losers |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/02/03/the-fixs-fourth-quarter-fundraising-winners-and-losers/ |accessdate=April 20, 2014 |newspaper=CBS News |date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> and two polls of the Republican primary taken in February 2014 had shown her in second place, several points behind opponent Mark Jacobs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sarah Palin endorses ‘pork-cutting’ Joni Ernst in Iowa |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/sarah-palin-endorses-joni-ernst-iowa-105059.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=Politico |date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Aims to Be Iowa's First Female Senator |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/03/09/ernst_aims_to_be_iowas_first_female_senator_121849.html |accessdate=April 18, 2014 |newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=March 9, 2014}}</ref> After it aired, a Suffolk University poll in early April showed her with a narrow lead and a Loras College poll showed her essentially tied with Jacobs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ernst Narrowly Leads GOP Field in Iowa Senate Race |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/04/09/ernst_narrowly_leads_gop_field_in_iowa_senate_race_122223.html |accessdate=April 9, 2014 |newspaper=RealClearPolitics |date=April 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Poll: Joni Ernst Takes Lead in Iowa GOP Senate Primary |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/poll-joni-ernst-takes-lead-iowa-gop-senate-primary_786717.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=Weekly Standard |date=April 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jacobs, Ernst tied in inaugural Loras Poll |url=http://www.thonline.com/blogs/tri_state_politics/article_a13f2644-c3f2-11e3-a183-001a4bcf6878.html |accessdate=April 17, 2014 |newspaper=TH Online |date=April 14, 2014}}</ref> | ||
In an interview with the ] on May 9, 2014, Ernst expressed her support for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget, a reduction in entitlements and discretionary spending, replacing Obamacare with free market alternatives, and a "fairer, flatter, and simpler" tax code. She expressed her opposition to cap-and-trade and federal involvement in education. Regarding the Iraq War and weapons of mass destruction, Ernst stated: "We don't know that there were weapons on the ground when we went in, however, I do have reason to believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That was the intelligence that was operated on. I have reason to believe there was weapons of mass destruction. My husband served in Saudi Arabia as an Army Central Command sergeant major for a year and that's a hot-button topic in that area."<ref>{{cite news |title=Joni Ernst: I was 'extremely offended' by AWOL attack |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/09/joni-ernst-us-senate-des-moines-register-editorial-board/8901677/ |accessdate=May 14, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 9, 2014}}</ref> | |||
In May 2014, Ernst was endorsed by the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=National business group picks Joni Ernst over GOP rivals in Iowa U.S. Senate race |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/13/joni-ernst-chamber-endorsement/9001911/ |accessdate=May 13, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> | In May 2014, Ernst was endorsed by the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=National business group picks Joni Ernst over GOP rivals in Iowa U.S. Senate race |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/05/13/joni-ernst-chamber-endorsement/9001911/ |accessdate=May 13, 2014 |newspaper=Des Moines Register |date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> |
Revision as of 16:42, 14 May 2014
Joni Ernst | |
---|---|
Member of the Iowa Senate from the 12th district | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 2011 | |
Preceded by | Kim Reynolds |
Personal details | |
Born | (1970-07-01) July 1, 1970 (age 54) Red Oak, Iowa, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Gail Ernst |
Alma mater | Iowa State University Columbus State University |
Website | http://www.joniforiowa.com |
Joni Ernst (born July 1, 1970, Red Oak, Iowa) is an American politician who serves as a Republican member of the Iowa Senate and as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard. She is a candidate for the United States Senate from Iowa in the 2014 election.
Early life and career
Before being elected to the Iowa Senate, Ernst was elected the Montgomery County Auditor in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.
Ernst was elected to the State Senate in a special election in 2011 and re-elected in 2012. She represents District 12, which serves the southwest part of the state. In the Iowa Senate, Ernst is a ranking member of the Education Standing Committee, and also serves on the Veteran Affairs, Appropriations, Rules & Administration and Human Resources Standing Committees. Ernst is also a member of the Administration & Regulation Budget Subcommittee.
During the 2013 legislative session, Ernst worked on legislation which reduced property taxes in Iowa. She has also received an A rating from the National Rifle Association for her support of gun-rights issues.
Ernst has served a combined 21 years in the United States Army Reserves and the Iowa Army National Guard. She spent 14 months mobilized and overseas in Kuwait from 2003-2004 as a company commander at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her unit was responsible for running logistical convoys in Kuwait and into southern Iraq. A Lieutenant Colonel, Ernst currently commands the largest battalion in the Iowa Army National Guard.
In 2014, Ernst was criticized for missing more than half of the votes in the legislative session. She responded that her National Guard duties explained many of her absences. Subsequent research showed that only 10% of her missed votes came when she was with the National Guard. A spokesman for Ernst stated that during her time in the State Senate, her attendance rate was over 90% and "it's not a job that stops and starts at the state capitol".
2014 U.S. Senate election
See also: United States Senate election in Iowa, 2014In July 2013, Ernst announced that she would seek the Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin. If elected, she would be the first woman from Iowa elected to the U.S. Senate.
Ernst received the endorsement of Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds in October 2013. She has also been endorsed by 23 current and former state legislators. In March the Ernst campaign was endorsed by Mitt Romney, a former Governor of Massachusetts and then by Sarah Palin, a former Governor of Alaska.
Ernst received widespread attention for a campaign advert she released in March 2014 where she argued that her experience castrating pigs makes her qualified to cut "pork" in Congress. Many found the ad to be humorous and it was spoofed by late-night comedians including Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert, but some found it to be in bad taste. Before the ad aired, despite being supported by the Republican establishment, Ernst had struggled in fundraising, and two polls of the Republican primary taken in February 2014 had shown her in second place, several points behind opponent Mark Jacobs. After it aired, a Suffolk University poll in early April showed her with a narrow lead and a Loras College poll showed her essentially tied with Jacobs.
In an interview with the Des Moines Register on May 9, 2014, Ernst expressed her support for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget, a reduction in entitlements and discretionary spending, replacing Obamacare with free market alternatives, and a "fairer, flatter, and simpler" tax code. She expressed her opposition to cap-and-trade and federal involvement in education. Regarding the Iraq War and weapons of mass destruction, Ernst stated: "We don't know that there were weapons on the ground when we went in, however, I do have reason to believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That was the intelligence that was operated on. I have reason to believe there was weapons of mass destruction. My husband served in Saudi Arabia as an Army Central Command sergeant major for a year and that's a hot-button topic in that area."
In May 2014, Ernst was endorsed by the US Chamber of Commerce.
Personal life
Born and raised in Montgomery County, Iowa, Ernst resides in Red Oak, Iowa with her husband of 21 years, Gail, a Command Sergeant Major in the Army Rangers (retired) and their three daughters.
Ernst is a member of the Montgomery County Republican Women, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2265 (Life Member), Montgomery County Court of Honor, Altrusa, PEO Chapter HB, National Rifle Association (Lifetime Member) and the Montgomery County Farm Bureau. She is a member of the Mamrelund Lutheran Church (ELCA) of Stanton, Iowa.
Ernst is a graduate of Iowa State University and earned a Master's in Public Administration from Columbus College.
Notes
- "Iowa GOP lawmaker Joni Ernst enters 2014 Senate race". omaha.com. July 10, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
- ^ "The Iowa Legislature: Senator Joni Ernst". Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Joni Ernst: Iowa Senate". Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- "Senator Joni Ernst (IA)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- ^ ABOUT JONI, Joni Ernst for Iowa
- "Ernst, Payton speak at local GOP meeting". Newton Daily News. November 27, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
{{cite news}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=
(help) - "Sirens sound across Iowa as Sarah Palin endorses Joni Ernst". The Des Moines Register. March 26, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- "THREE MINUTES: Senate Candidate Joni Ernst". WHO-DT. April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- "Iowa Sen. Ernst juggles busy schedule with Senate work". The Gazette. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- "Few of Ernst's missed Iowa Senate votes due to National Guard Duty". The Gazette. April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- Hayley, Bruce (18 July 2013). "State Sen. Joni Ernst announces run for U.S. Senate in Cedar Rapids". The Gazette. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
- Henderson, O. Kay (7 October 2013). "Lieutenant Governor Reynolds endorses Ernst in U.S. Senate race". Radio Iowa. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
- Endorsement, Joni Ernst for Iowa
- Joseph, Cameron. Palin endorses Joni Ernst in Iowa Senate race, Politico, March 26, 2014.
- "Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred". Time. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- "In Politics, Hog Castration Cuts Through The Ad Clutter". NPR. March 28, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- "Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred". Time. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
- "How did John Boehner's opponent get his campaign ad to go viral? Humor. (+video)". Christian Science Monitor. April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- "Jimmy Fallon cringes at Joni Ernst's hog-castration ad". Des Moines Register. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
- "Colbert: I'm pulling for Joni Ernst 'whole hog, or whatever's left'". Des Moines Register. March 27, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- "Joni Ernst 'Castrating Hogs' Ad: Republican Iowa Senate Candidate Stirs Controversy With Offbeat Campaign Spot [VIDEO]". International Business Times. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- "Sarah Palin endorses "hog castrator" Jodi Ernst in Iowa Senate race". CBS News. March 26, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- "The Fix's fourth-quarter fundraising winners and losers". CBS News. February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- "Sarah Palin endorses 'pork-cutting' Joni Ernst in Iowa". Politico. March 26, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- "Ernst Aims to Be Iowa's First Female Senator". RealClearPolitics. March 9, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
- "Ernst Narrowly Leads GOP Field in Iowa Senate Race". RealClearPolitics. April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- "Poll: Joni Ernst Takes Lead in Iowa GOP Senate Primary". Weekly Standard. April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- "Jacobs, Ernst tied in inaugural Loras Poll". TH Online. April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- "Joni Ernst: I was 'extremely offended' by AWOL attack". Des Moines Register. May 9, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- "National business group picks Joni Ernst over GOP rivals in Iowa U.S. Senate race". Des Moines Register. May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
External links
- Joni Ernst for Iowa official campaign site
- Iowa Legislator - Senator Joni Ernst official Iowa Legislature site