Joni Ernst
| Joni Ernst | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Iowa Senate from the 12th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Reynolds |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1, 1970 Red Oak, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Gail Ernst |
| Alma mater | Iowa State University Columbus State University |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Website | Government website |
Joni Ernst (born July 1, 1970, Red Oak, Iowa) is a Republican politician, legislator, Lt. Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, and candidate for the United States Senate from the state of Iowa.
Ernst served as a company commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 where her unit was sent to run convoys through Kuwait and southern Iraq. Ernst is still on active duty, currently serving as a Lt. Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, commanding the largest battalion in Iowa.
Career
Ernst was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011 and re-elected in 2012. She represents District 12, which serves the southwest part of the state.[1][2][3] 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, Senator Ernst cofounded the Iowa Prayer Caucus, a bi-partisan caucus devoted to protecting the religious liberties of Iowans.
Before being elected to the state senate, Ernst was elected the Montgomery County, Iowa County Auditor in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. Ernst has served a combined 21 years in the US 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.[1][2] Her unit was responsible for running logistical convoys in Kuwait and into southern Iraq. A Lt. Colonel, Ernst currently commands the largest battalion in the Iowa Army National Guard.
2014 U.S. Senate election
In July 2013, Ernst announced that she would seek the Senate seat held by retiring Senator Tom Harkin. If elected, she would be the first woman from Iowa elected to the U.S. Senate.[4]
Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds announced her endorsement of Ernst in October 2013.[5]
Personal
Born and raised in Montgomery County, Iowa, Senator Ernst resides in Red Oak, Iowa with her husband of 21 years, Gail, a Command Sergeant 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 of Stanton, Iowa.
Ernst is a graduate of Iowa State University and earned a Master's in Public Administration from Columbus College.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Iowa Legislature: Senator Joni Ernst". Retrieved 2013-05-06.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Joni Ernst: Iowa Senate". Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ↑ "Senator Joni Ernst (IA)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ↑ 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 (07 October 2013). "Lieutenant Governor Reynolds endorses Ernst in U.S. Senate race". Radio Iowa. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
External links
- Joni Ernst for Iowa official campaign site
- Iowa Legislator - Senator Joni Ernst official Iowa Legislature site