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Line 37: − + + + + + + + + + + + − + − ===U.S. Senate===+ + + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + + + + + + + + − {{conservatism}} − [[Category:Republicans]] − + +
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{{Officeholder/misc
{{Officeholder/state senator
|office=[[Iowa]] Senate, 12th District
|state=Iowa
|district=<br>12th
|terms=January 5, 2011 – November 28, 2014
|terms=January 5, 2011 – November 28, 2014
|preceded=Kim Reynolds
|preceded=Kim Reynolds
|former=y
|succeeded=Mark Costello
|succeeded=Mark Costello
}}
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=Auditor of<br>Montgomery County, [[Iowa]]
|terms=2005–2011
|preceded=Connie Magneson
|former=y
|succeeded=Ted Schoonover
}}
}}
|military=y
|military=y
}}
}}
'''Joni Kay Ernst''' (born July 1, 1970, age {{age|1970|7|1}}) is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] U.S. Senator from [[Iowa]] who was elected in 2014.
'''Joni K. Ernst''', born July 1, 1970 (age {{age|1970|7|1}}), is a U.S. Senator from [[Iowa]] who was elected in the [[2014 Midterm Elections]]. A mostly [[conservative]] [[Republican]], she has received the fervent backing of the [[Koch brothers]], who propelled her 2014 run into victory to succeed retiring [[leftist]] Democrat [[Tom Harkin]]. She has on occasions caved into [[political correctness]], including her advocacy for renaming military bases in mid-2020 to appease history-erasing [[liberal deceit|deceitful liberals]] as "the right thing to do".<ref name="military bases">Multiple references:
*[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/506806-gop-senator-ive-been-getting-heck-from-my-own-party-for-supporting-renaming Ernst: Renaming Confederate bases is the 'right thing to do' despite 'heck' from GOP]
*[https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2020/07/10/ernst-renaming-confederate-military-bases-is-the-right-thing-to-do/ Ernst: Renaming military bases that honor Confederates is ‘the right thing to do’]
*[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/watch/bill-gates-on-preparing-for-the-next-pandemic/vp-BB1bTzld Bill Gates on preparing for the next pandemic]</ref> Ernst currently serves alongside the state's senior senator [[Chuck Grassley]].
Largely an advocate of traditional [[conservative]] values, Ernst has been harshly attacked by bigoted liberals, many of whom despise women on the political right out of sexism. Mass-murdering abortion lobby [[Planned Parenthood]] has baselessly portrayed her as "anti-women",<ref>[https://www.lifenews.com/2014/09/19/planned-parenthood-ad-claims-pro-life-woman-joni-ernst-hates-women/ Planned Parenthood Ad Claims Pro-Life Woman Joni Ernst Hates Women]</ref> and [[NBC News]] smeared her in 2020 as being "far-right".<ref>[https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/why-joni-ernst-saying-roe-v-wade-probably-won-t-n1241331 Why Joni Ernst is saying Roe v Wade probably won't be overturned]</ref> Ernst has also been the subject of several death threats by unhinged leftists.<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4676262/Nebraska-man-accused-threatening-Iowa-US-Sen-Joni-Ernst.html Nebraska man, 64, arrested by FBI agents after he 'threatened to kill Iowa US Sen. Joni Ernst']</ref><ref>Two references:
*[https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/charges-sought-in-twitter-threats-to-sen-ernst/article_1e7a8b1c-a3a9-5f0c-aede-c89b1583bb8f.html Charges sought in Twitter threats to Sen. Ernst ]
*[https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/waterloo-man-sentenced-to-6-years-in-federal-prison-for-sending-threatening-tweets-to-iowa-senator-joni-ernst-20180613 Threats to Joni Ernst lead to prison]</ref> (see: [[Left-wing violence in the Trump era]])
==Early life/education==
Joni Kay Culver was born in Red Oak, Iowa to farmers Marilyn and Richard Culver. A graduate and the valedictorian of Stanton High School, she later attended [[Iowa State University]], where she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology. She employed at Hardee's to earn money for college tuition, making biscuits in morning hours.<ref name="2020 Senate debate Iowa Press">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYUNfAZneVY Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate]</ref>
==Military service==
==Military service==
Ernst saw combat as a veteran of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (2003-2004) and served in the Iowa Army National Guard as well as the U.S. Army Reserves where she rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.<ref>Twitchy staff (January 15, 2015). [http://twitchy.com/2015/01/15/jackass-luke-russert-writes-off-combat-vet-joni-ernst-as-unknown-pig-farmer/ 'Jackass': Luke Russert writes off combat vet Joni Ernst as 'unknown pig farmer']. Twitchy. Retrieved on January 16, 2015.</ref>
Ernst saw combat as a veteran of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (2003-2004) and served in the Iowa Army National Guard as well as the U.S. Army Reserves where she rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.<ref>Twitchy staff (January 15, 2015). [http://twitchy.com/2015/01/15/jackass-luke-russert-writes-off-combat-vet-joni-ernst-as-unknown-pig-farmer/ 'Jackass': Luke Russert writes off combat vet Joni Ernst as 'unknown pig farmer']. Twitchy. Retrieved on January 16, 2015.</ref>
==Political career==
==Early political career==
Ernst served as auditor of Montgomery County, Iowa from 2005 to 2011. She was later elected to the 84th and 85th general assembly of the Iowa legislature, (January 2011 to January 2015) her second term as a state senator from District 12, representing six counties in the southwest corner of Iowa.<ref name=Iowaleg/>
Ernst served as auditor of Montgomery County, Iowa from 2005 to 2011. She was later elected to the 84th and 85th general assembly of the Iowa legislature, (January 2011 to January 2015) her second term as a state senator from District 12, representing six counties in the southwest corner of Iowa.<ref name=Iowaleg/>
==U.S. Senate==
===2014 run===
:''See: [[2014 Midterm Elections]]
Ernst campaigned in the Republican U.S. Senate primary with the claim "I'll know how to cut pork".<ref>Strong, Jonathan (March 24, 2014). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/03/24/ia-candidate-touts-hog-castrating-experience-for-cutting-pork-barrel-spending/ "Senate candidate: I'll use my hog castrating experience to help end pork barrel spending"]. Breitbart. Retrieved on January 16, 2014</ref>
Ernst campaigned in the Republican U.S. Senate primary with the claim "I'll know how to cut pork".<ref>Strong, Jonathan (March 24, 2014). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/03/24/ia-candidate-touts-hog-castrating-experience-for-cutting-pork-barrel-spending/ "Senate candidate: I'll use my hog castrating experience to help end pork barrel spending"]. Breitbart. Retrieved on January 16, 2014</ref>
Ernst received 52% of the vote in November 2014, while her Democratic opponent received only 44%. In her victory, she swept 85 of Iowa's 99 counties.<ref>Pate, Paul D. [Iowa Secretary of State] (December 29, 2014). [http://electionresults.sos.iowa.gov/Views/TabularData.aspx?TabView=StateRaces^Federal%20/%20Statewide%20Races^84&ElectionID=84 "November 4, 2014 general election"]. ''Iowa Secretary of State website.'' Retrieved on January 15, 2015.</ref> She was later chosen to give the rebuttal to the president [[Barack Obama]]'s State of the Union address in 2015.
Ernst received 52% of the vote in November 2014, while her Democratic opponent received only 44%. In her victory, she swept 85 of Iowa's 99 counties.<ref>Pate, Paul D. [Iowa Secretary of State] (December 29, 2014). [http://electionresults.sos.iowa.gov/Views/TabularData.aspx?TabView=StateRaces^Federal%20/%20Statewide%20Races^84&ElectionID=84 "November 4, 2014 general election"]. ''Iowa Secretary of State website.'' Retrieved on January 15, 2015.</ref> She was later chosen to give the rebuttal to the president [[Barack Obama]]'s State of the Union address in 2015.
Ernst has vocally opposed wasteful U.S. federal spending.<ref>Varney, James (September 22, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/sep/22/joni-ernst-end-year-fiscal-responsibility-act-stop/ Joni Ernst aims to change fed's 'spend it while you have it' mentality]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 22, 2019.</ref>
===Tenure===
While mostly maintaining strong conservative stances, Ernst has also been considered a largely bipartisan senator on certain issues.<ref>[https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/oct/26/joni-ernst/bipartisanship-rankings-show-joni-ernst-toward-top/ Bipartisanship rankings show Joni Ernst toward the top ]</ref>
Following concerns on waivers for [[ethanol]] regulations, Ernst voted against proceeding a nomination made by [[Donald Trump]] for the [[EPA]] in late June 2020.<ref>[https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/504698-ernst-sinks-trump-epa-nominee Ernst sinks vote on Trump EPA nominee]</ref>
Sen. Ernst was among many [[Republicans]] who backed a resolution introduced by [[Tom Cotton]] (R–AR) to oppose [[defunding the police]].<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/501988-gop-senators-introduce-resolution-opposing-defund-the-police GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police]</ref>
Along with several other moderate/conservative Republican senators, Ernst caved into a Democrat pro-Obamacare proposal in early October 2020, voting to protect the failed healthcare plan from being overturned after facing false attacks that she supposedly opposes protections for [[pre-existing condition]]s.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/519242-five-vulnerable-republicans-break-with-trump-on-obamacare-lawsuit Vulnerable Republicans break with Trump on ObamaCare lawsuit]</ref>
In late October 2020, Sen. Ernst wrote an [[op-ed]] on [[Breitbart]] advocating for passing Sarah's Law that she introduced to ensure punishments for [[illegal alien]]s who commit crimes in the [[United States]].<ref>Ernst, Joni (October 21, 2020). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/21/exclusive-sen-joni-ernst-sarahs-law-is-about-justice/ Exclusive – Sen. Joni Ernst: Sarah’s Law Is About Justice]. ''Breitbart News Network''. Retrieved October 21, 2020.</ref>
In late October 2020, Sen. Ernst wrote an [[op-ed]] on [[Breitbart]] advocating for passing Sarah's Law that she introduced to ensure punishments for [[illegal alien]]s who commit crimes in the [[United States]].<ref>Ernst, Joni (October 21, 2020). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/21/exclusive-sen-joni-ernst-sarahs-law-is-about-justice/ Exclusive – Sen. Joni Ernst: Sarah’s Law Is About Justice]. ''Breitbart News Network''. Retrieved October 21, 2020.</ref>
Ernst and several other U.S. senators sponsored a bipartisan bill in December 2020 to allow victims of sexual abuse to sue pornographic websites that profit from such.<ref>[https://thehill.com/policy/technology/529542-new-senate-bill-would-allow-victims-to-sue-websites-that-host-revenge-porn New Senate bill would allow victims to sue websites that host revenge porn, forced sexual acts]</ref>
===Caving into political correctness===
Despite having once aligned herself with the anti-establishment, anti-globalist [[movement conservative]] [[Steve King]], Ernst condemned the representative over misconstrued and misrepresented statements as he faced heavy smears from the left.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/425040-grassley-ernst-condemn-steve-kings-white-supremacist-comment Grassley, Ernst condemn Steve King's 'white supremacist' comments]</ref> She refused to endorse King in his 2020 re-election bid.<ref>[https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/joni-ernst-won-t-endorse-steve-king-in-4th-district-gop-primary/article_041b57bf-785a-570a-b5e1-4562fa528e29.html Joni Ernst won’t endorse Steve King in 4th District GOP primary]</ref>
In an interview with commentator Guy Benson, Ernst trashed [[Sidney Powell]], an attorney for [[Donald Trump]] and [[Michael Flynn]], for suggesting that politicians are complicit in the degrading of election integrity.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/526798-ernst-trump-lawyer-claim-that-candidates-pay-to-rig-elections-absolutely Ernst: Trump lawyer claim that candidates pay to rig elections 'absolutely outrageous']</ref>
===2020 run===
:''See: [[2020 United States Senate election in Iowa]]
Ernst ran for re-election in 2020 to a second Senate term. Despite outrageous liberal smears<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/520985-lincoln-project-launches-ad-targeting-republican-joni-ernst-in-iowa Lincoln Project launches ad targeting Republican Joni Ernst in Iowa]</ref> and misleading left-wing polling given free publicity by [[lamestream media]] outlets including ''[[The Hill]]'',<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/486515-joni-ernsts-approval-rating-dips-10-points-poll Joni Ernst's approval rating drops 10 points: poll]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/495937-poll-ernst-lead-evaporates-in-iowa-senate-race Poll: Ernst lead evaporates in Iowa Senate race]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/502623-ernst-challenger-leads-by-three-points-in-tight-iowa-senate-race Ernst challenger leads by 3 points in tight Iowa Senate race]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/508822-Cook-Political-Report-shifts-several-senate-races-toward-democrats Cook Political Report shifts several Senate races toward Democrats]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/510651-poll-trump-ernst-lead-democratic-challengers-by-3-points-in-iowa Poll: Trump, Ernst lead Democratic challengers by 3 points in Iowa]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/510681-sabatos-crystal-ball-shifts-iowa-senate-race-to-toss-up-georgia-toward-gop Sabato's Crystal Ball shifts Iowa Senate race to 'toss-up,' Georgia toward GOP]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/517291-poll-shows-tight-senate-race-in-iowa Poll shows tight Senate race in Iowa]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/522099-ernst-holds-slim-lead-over-greenfield-within-margin-of-error-poll Poll finds Ernst with 1-point lead in Iowa]</ref><ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/523433-ernst-holds-narrow-lead-over-democratic-challenger-in-iowa-poll Ernst holds narrow lead over Democratic challenger in Iowa: poll]</ref> she won the general election over [[Democrat]] challenger [[Theresa Greenfield]] despite millions spent to unseat her,<ref>Two references:
*[https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2020/11/04/democrats-raised-over-400-million-to-unseat-republicans-in-major-senate-races-it-didnt-work/?sh=1c27bb568ddc Democrats Raised Over $400 Million To Unseat Republicans In Major Senate Races. It Didn’t Work.]
*[https://www.newsweek.com/joni-ernst-wins-re-election-after-hard-fought-campaign-against-theresa-greenfield-1544208 Joni Ernst Wins Re-Election After Hard-Fought Campaign Against Theresa Greenfield]</ref> solidifying support from the rural areas.<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/528273-iowa-losses-underscore-democrats-struggles-with-attracting-rural-voters Iowa losses underscore Democrats' struggles with attracting rural voters]</ref> The far-left ''[[Washington Post]]'' erroneously suggested a possible flip for the Democrats.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/joni-ernst-is-now-in-trouble-trump-is-a-huge-part-of-her-problem/2020/09/28/32f7ec62-01c5-11eb-a2db-417cddf4816a_story.html Joni Ernst is now in trouble. Trump is a huge part of her problem.]</ref>
==Political positions==
According to ''[[On the Issues]]'', Sen. Ernst is strongly [[conservative]].<ref>[https://ontheissues.org/Senate/Joni_Ernst.htm Joni Ernst on the Issues]</ref> However, the [[Heritage Foundation]] has given her an overall rating of just under 70% due to certain votes in favor of the [[establishment]], particularly on the [[national debt]].
===Abortion===
Ernst has described herself as "adamantly [[pro-life]]".<ref>[https://ontheissues.org/Social/Joni_Ernst_Abortion.htm Joni Ernst on Abortion]</ref> She opposes permitting abortion in almost all instances, except for situations where such would be "necessary" to save the life of the mother, a matter which often becomes highly misconstrued due to blatant [[liberal deceit]].<ref>[https://www.liveaction.org/learn/the-problem/hard-cases/ Hard Cases | Live Action]</ref> She has also advocated for passing the [[Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act]] as U.S. senator.
===Budget/debt===
Despite having ran for Senate on a [[fiscal conservatism|fiscally conservative]] platform and vocally opposing wasteful spending,<ref>Varney, James (September 22, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/sep/22/joni-ernst-end-year-fiscal-responsibility-act-stop/ Joni Ernst aims to change fed's 'spend it while you have it' mentality]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 22, 2019.</ref> Ernst has voted several times in favor of bills to maintain the status quo of rising debt and dangerous federal spending levels.<ref>[https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/votes/s144-2015 $500 BILLION DOC FIX]</ref><ref>[https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/votes/s212-2018 Bloated $855 Billion CROMNIBUS Spending Package]</ref><ref>[https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/votes/s262-2019 The 'Bipartisan' Budget Act of 2019]</ref><ref>[https://heritageaction.com/scorecard/votes/s415-2019 The Domestic Minibus Spending Package]</ref>
===Trade===
Ernst half-heartedly defended [[President Trump]]'s [[Donald Trump achievements: Trade policy|trade policies]], praising him for his actions to combat [[China]]'s actions that hurt Iowa farmers while also criticizing him for not ending [[economic nationalism|economic nationalist]] policies that benefit Americans for the long run.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/26/politics/joni-ernst-farmers-trade-war-cnntv/index.html Iowa GOP senator says US-China trade war 'hurtful' to farmers]
*[https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/joni-ernst-trade-tariffs-farmers/2019/05/21/id/916974/ Ernst: Tariffs Causing Farmers' Woe But Trump Did 'Right Thing']
*[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7074279/GOP-Senator-Joni-Ernest-slams-Trump-calling-farmers-patriots.html 'Calling farmers "patriots" won't pay the bills': GOP Senator Joni Ernst calls on Trump to end the trade war with China to save US agriculture]</ref>
==See also==
*[[Martha McSally]], former U.S. senator from [[Arizona]]
*[[David Young]], former U.S. representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[https://joniernst.com/ Campaign Website]
*[https://www.ernst.senate.gov/public/ Senate Website]
*[https://twitter.com/senjoniernst Twitter Page]
*[https://ballotpedia.org/Joni_Ernst Joni Ernst - Ballotpedia]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ernst, Joni}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ernst, Joni}}
[[Category:Iowa]]
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