Joni Ernst closes Senate chapter, allies reflect on her enduring legacy
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is closing her Senate career at two terms, but allies say her imprint on Iowa politics and the Capitol will endure.
Republican strategist David Oman — Ernst’s 2014 campaign finance chair — told vlog that her first victory, over Democrat Bruce Braley for the seat long held by Democrat Tom Harkin, set the tone for her tenure.
“That was a change election. She flipped that seat,” Oman said.
Oman called Ernst’s arrival in Washington trailblazing.
“She went to Washington as the first-ever woman combat veteran in the service of our country now serving on the United States Senate floor,” he said. “So she’ll be remembered for a lot of firsts in that respect.”
In office, Ernst built a profile as a fiscal conservative, backing a balanced budget amendment, opposing a minimum wage increase, and spotlighting what she called government waste with her promise to “make Washington squeal.”
Through it all, Oman said, “She stayed true to herself.”
The senator weathered criticism as well, for the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 to backlash over a town hall exchange on Medicaid in which she said, “Well, we are all going to die.”
Oman said her response to tough moments reflected her service background: “Sometimes you’re criticized fairly. Sometimes you’re criticized unfairly. Joni was always able to take it both, turn the cheek and keep moving on.”
Ernst’s exit, Oman added, is consistent with her word.
“She’s honoring her pledge. She said in 2014 she would only serve two terms and move on. And that’s what she is doing,” he said.
Ernst said she will focus on her family and called her time in the Senate “a privilege of a lifetime.”
»
» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: |