History of Joni Ernst in Timeline
Joni Ernst is an American politician currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Iowa since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Ernst is also a retired military officer. Her political career is defined by her senatorial role representing Iowa in the US Senate.
7 hours ago : Joni Ernst supports Urbandale ZIP code, recognizes Sister's Entrees, Green Real Estate.
Senator Joni Ernst aided Urbandale in securing a ZIP code, presented Sister's Homestyle Entrees with a Small Business Award, and acknowledged Green Real Estate as Small Business of the Week, showcasing her support for Iowa businesses.
July 1, 1970: Joni Ernst's Birth
On July 1, 1970, Joni Kay Ernst (née Culver) was born in Montgomery County, Iowa.
1985: Tom Harkin Became Senator
In 1985, Tom Harkin became a U.S. Senator for Iowa; Joni Ernst was the first new U.S. senator from Iowa since Harkin.
1992: Earned BA in Psychology
In 1992, Joni Ernst earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Iowa State University.
1993: Joined Iowa Army National Guard
In 1993, Joni Ernst joined the Iowa Army National Guard, marking a significant step in her military career.
1995: Earned Master of Public Administration degree
In 1995, Joni Ernst earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University, further advancing her education.
2004: Elected Montgomery County Auditor
In 2004, Joni Ernst was elected as the Montgomery County Auditor, defeating the incumbent.
January 2005: Served as Auditor of Montgomery County
In January 2005, Joni Ernst began her tenure as the auditor of Montgomery County, a position she held until January 5, 2011.
2008: Reelected Montgomery County Auditor
In 2008, Joni Ernst ran unopposed and was reelected as the Montgomery County Auditor with 4,569 votes.
January 5, 2011: Served in Iowa State Senate
Joni Ernst served in the Iowa State Senate from January 5, 2011, until 2014.
2011: Elected to Iowa State Senate
In 2011, Joni Ernst was elected to the Iowa State Senate in a special election.
2012: Supported legislation to nullify ObamaCare
In 2012, Joni Ernst answered "Yes" to a survey question asking whether she would support legislation that would "nullify ObamaCare and authorize state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement [it]."
2012: Reelected to Iowa State Senate
In 2012, Joni Ernst was reelected to the Iowa State Senate, continuing her representation of District 12.
2012: Supported "nullification" of EPA rules and Obamacare
In 2012, as a state senator, Joni Ernst co-sponsored a resolution urging the "nullification" of EPA rules on emissions standards and answered "Yes" to a survey asking whether she would support legislation "nullify[ing] Obamacare and authoriz[ing] state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement [it]."
July 2013: Announced Senate Candidacy
In July 2013, Joni Ernst announced her candidacy for the Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin.
October 2013: Kim Reynolds Endorsed Ernst
In October 2013, Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds endorsed Joni Ernst's campaign for the Senate.
2013: Comments on state nullification of federal laws
In 2013, Joni Ernst said Congress should not pass laws "that the states would consider nullifying", referring to "200-plus years of federal legislators going against the Tenth Amendment's states' rights."
2013: Comments on reliance on government programs
In 2013, Joni Ernst stated that there was a "generation of people that rely on the government to provide absolutely everything for them" and that removing them from government programs such as the Affordable Care Act "is going to be very painful".
February 2014: Lagging in polls before ad
In February 2014, before the release of her campaign ad, Joni Ernst was in second place in two polls of the Republican primary, trailing behind Mark Jacobs.
March 2014: Campaign ad about castrating pigs
In March 2014, Joni Ernst gained widespread attention for a campaign advertisement where she compared her experience castrating pigs to her ability to "cut pork" in Congress.
March 2014: Received Endorsements from Romney and Palin
In March 2014, Joni Ernst received endorsements from former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for her Senate campaign.
May 2014: Ernst Offended by Jacobs' Comments
In May 2014, Joni Ernst expressed being "extremely offended" by comments made by Jacobs characterizing her as AWOL due to missing over 100 votes in the legislative session.
May 2014: Endorsed by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
In May 2014, Joni Ernst's campaign for U.S. Senate received an endorsement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
October 2014: Response on campaign finance laws
In an October 2014 debate, Joni Ernst stated that she believes in political free speech and did not see a need to change campaign finance laws.
November 28, 2014: Resigned from Iowa State Senate
On November 28, 2014, Joni Ernst resigned from the Iowa State Senate after being elected to the U.S. Senate.
2014: NRA support for Ernst
Between 2014 and 2018, the NRA spent $3,124,273 in support of Joni Ernst, mostly attacking candidates running against her.
2014: Remarks on same-sex marriage
During a 2014 debate, Joni Ernst stated that she believes same-sex marriage is a state's rights issue, but she would support a federal ban if one were proposed. In the Iowa Senate, she co-sponsored a bill to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
2014: Remarks on Second Amendment rights after Santa Barbara shooting
During a 2014 debate, Joni Ernst stated that she didn't believe that people's Second Amendment rights should be infringed upon due to the Santa Barbara shooting.
2014: Spokespeople argued Ernst did not support nullification
During her 2014 Senate campaign, Joni Ernst's spokespeople argued that she did not support nullification, and that "her comments on it were about encouraging Iowans to send her to Washington to pass good laws."
2014: Disclosed Sexual Harassment in Military
In 2014, Joni Ernst revealed in an interview with Time magazine that she experienced sexual harassment during her time in the military.
2014: Elected to U.S. Senate
In 2014, Joni Ernst was elected to the U.S. Senate, marking a significant milestone in her political career.
January 3, 2015: Sworn into the U.S. Senate
On January 3, 2015, Joni Ernst was sworn into the United States Senate, becoming Iowa's first new U.S. senator since Tom Harkin in 1985.
2015: Became U.S. Senator from Iowa
In 2015, Joni Ernst became the junior United States Senator from Iowa, marking the start of her service in the role.
2015: Retired from Iowa Army National Guard
In 2015, Joni Ernst retired from the Iowa Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel, concluding her service in the military.
2015: Retired from the Military
In 2015, Joni Ernst retired from the military after serving 23 years in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.
May 2016: Listed as possible VP running mate for Trump
In May 2016, Chris Cillizza included Joni Ernst on his list of potential vice presidential running mates for Donald Trump.
2016: "Sarah's Law" Introduced
In 2016, Joni Ernst and other Republican senators introduced "Sarah's Law" in honor of Sarah Root, who was killed in a street racing crash.
2016: Endorsed Steve King for House seat
In 2016, Joni Ernst endorsed Steve King, a Republican House Representative known for his controversial rhetoric, when he faced a primary challenge for his House seat, saying he "stands strong for life and liberty."
2016: Opposed Obama's Supreme Court Nominee
In 2016, Joni Ernst opposed Senate consideration of Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, citing the need for the American people to have a say in an election year.
February 2017: Voted to Confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary
In February 2017, Joni Ernst voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary, stating that they shared a belief that those "closest" to students know what is best for them.
2017: Opposition to transgender ban and government funding of gender-reassignment surgeries
In 2017, Joni Ernst announced her opposition to Trump's ban on transgender people serving in the armed forces. At the same time, she announced her opposition to government funding of gender-reassignment surgeries.
2017: Ernst's questions to James Mattis
In 2017, Joni Ernst questioned Secretary of Defense nominee James Mattis about wasteful spending and sexual assault in the military, securing his commitment to address these issues.
2017: Response to Steve King's controversial remarks
In 2017, Joni Ernst responded to criticism of Steve King, who was under fire for saying "we can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies" and for supporting European far-right politicians, by stating that she did not condone King's behavior but would not ask for his resignation.
2017: Voted for bill to repeal the ACA
In 2017, Joni Ernst voted for all three versions of a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
2017: Signed letter requesting review of bump stock regulations
In 2017, Joni Ernst was among 10 Republican senators who signed a letter requesting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to review a decision that bump stocks fell outside existing gun regulations, amidst bipartisan momentum for bump stock restrictions.
January 2018: Signed letter to Trump on NAFTA
In January 2018, Joni Ernst was one of 36 Republican senators to sign a letter to Trump requesting he preserve and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement.
May 2018: Introduced Rescission Package
In May 2018, Joni Ernst was one of nine Republican senators to introduce a rescission package meant to fulfill Trump's wish to curb previously approved spending by $15.4 billion.
June 13, 2018: Joseph Dierks sentenced for threatening Ernst on Twitter
On June 13, 2018, federal judge Linda Reade sentenced Joseph Dierks to six years in prison for threatening "to kill or otherwise harm" Joni Ernst on Twitter.
June 2018: Questioned Trump's decision to suspend joint military exercises with South Korea
In June 2018, Joni Ernst questioned President Trump's decision to suspend joint military exercises with South Korea.
June 2018: Letter to Defense Secretary Mattis on military lawyers prosecuting immigration cases
In June 2018, Joni Ernst, along with Democratic senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Patrick Leahy, wrote a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis expressing concern over sending Judge Advocate General's Corps to prosecute immigration cases on the southern border, calling it an "inappropriate misapplication of military personnel".
July 2018: Endorsed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
In July 2018, Joni Ernst was among 31 Republican senators who submitted a resolution endorsing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing that its abolition would allow "dangerous criminal aliens" and members of the MS-13 gang to remain in the U.S.
August 2018: Warned about the impact of failure to finish trade deals
In August 2018, Joni Ernst warned that failure to finish trade deals would "reflect negatively upon our Republican candidates" and advocated completing NAFTA and continuing to work with the European Union.
August 27, 2018: Announced divorce from Gail Ernst
On August 27, 2018, Joni Ernst announced that she and her husband, Gail Ernst, were in the process of obtaining a divorce.
November 2018: Elected vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference
In November 2018, Joni Ernst was elected vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference.
November 2018: Commented on Jamal Khashoggi's Murder
In November 2018, following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Joni Ernst said that Saudi Arabia was a "great strategic partner" but that Congress should consider a legislative response due to the United States' commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
2018: NRA support for Ernst
Between 2014 and 2018, the NRA spent $3,124,273 in support of Joni Ernst, mostly attacking candidates running against her.
2018: Comments on border security during government shutdown
During the 2018-19 United States federal government shutdown, which occurred after Trump demanded $5.7 billion for a border wall, Joni Ernst stated that she would "tend to agree that not all areas of our border need a physical barrier" if monitored by technology or Border Patrol agents.
2018: Appeared with Steve King at rally
In 2018, Joni Ernst appeared with Steve King at a rally in his district after King had endorsed a Canadian politician with neo-Nazi ties.
2018: Reiterated stance on Supreme Court nominees
In 2018, Joni Ernst reiterated her stance that Supreme Court nominees should not be heard during presidential election years.
2018: Expressed concerns about impact of tariffs on farmers
In 2018, Joni Ernst stated that she was willing to give Trump some leeway on tariffs imposed as part of his trade policy, but worried about the impact on farmers.
2018: Voted against reinstating net neutrality
In 2018, Joni Ernst voted against reinstating net neutrality, which prevents internet service providers from blocking or slowing down certain content, after an FCC ruling.
2018: Cosponsored bill on preexisting conditions
In 2018, Joni Ernst was one of 10 Republican senators to cosponsor a bill intended to guarantee coverage for people with preexisting conditions, though it would have allowed insurers to exclude coverage for the conditions themselves.
2018: Response to Stoneman Douglas High School shooting
In 2018, after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Joni Ernst identified mental illness as the "root cause" of many mass shootings and later cosponsored a bill to require federal authorities to inform states within a day if a person failing a background check attempted to buy a firearm.
January 2019: Divorce from Gail Ernst finalized
In January 2019, Joni Ernst's divorce from Gail Ernst was finalized, with Joni alleging verbal, mental, and physical abuse. Both accused each other of infidelity, which they both denied.
February 2019: Voted to Confirm Andrew Wheeler as EPA Administrator
In February 2019, Joni Ernst voted to confirm Trump's new nominee for EPA administrator, Andrew Wheeler.
March 2019: Called for the release of Mueller report findings
In March 2019, after the conclusion of the Special Counsel Investigation, Joni Ernst called for the release of the full findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report.
May 2019: Comments on trade war between United States and China
In May 2019, amidst a trade war between the United States and China, Joni Ernst said she did not like tariffs but believed the "president's way of negotiating... brings people to the table." She said that Iowa farmers are "disappointed" but recognize "that China is the one that is forcing this."
June 2019: Asked Trump and Wheeler to limit the issuing of RFS waivers
In June 2019, Joni Ernst said she had asked Trump and Wheeler to limit the issuing of RFS waivers, saying they were being handed out "like candy" without congressional oversight.
December 2019: Report of campaign coordination with a political nonprofit
In December 2019, the Associated Press reported that Joni Ernst's campaign had closely coordinated with a political nonprofit, leading to a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission.
2019: Alleged romantic relationship with a legislative affairs official for the Navy
According to multiple sources, in 2019 Joni Ernst had a romantic relationship with a "legislative affairs official" for the Navy, raising conflict of interest questions about Ernst, who was serving on the Armed Services Committee at the time.
2019: Accused Nancy Pelosi of "slow-walking" the USMCA trade agreement
In 2019, Joni Ernst accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of "slow-walking" the passage of the USMCA trade agreement but believed there was enough support to ratify it.
2019: Rebuked Steve King after controversial remarks
In 2019, Joni Ernst rebuked Steve King amid extensive criticism from Republican politicians following King's controversial remarks about white supremacy.
2019: Cosponsored bill on concealed carry
In 2019, Joni Ernst was one of 31 Republican cosponsors of a bill to grant those with concealed carry privileges in their home state the right to carry concealed weapons in other states with concealed carry laws.
2019: Politico on Ernst's voting record
In 2019, Politico described Joni Ernst as "a reliable vote for most of Trump's agenda".
2019: Appointment to the Senate Judiciary Committee
In 2019, during the 116th United States Congress initiation, Joni Ernst became the first female Republican appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee, alongside Marsha Blackburn.
January 2020: Expressed support for the US military's assassination of Qasem Soleimani
In January 2020, Joni Ernst expressed support for the US military's assassination of Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani by drone strike at Baghdad International Airport.
January 2020: Petition to Reconsider Roe v. Wade
In January 2020, Joni Ernst petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that found abortion bans are unconstitutional.
February 2020: Vote to Acquit Trump
In February 2020, Joni Ernst voted to acquit President Trump on both articles of impeachment (abuse of power and obstruction of Congress), suggesting Joe Biden could face impeachment if he became president.
May 2020: Praised Trump's Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
In May 2020, Joni Ernst praised President Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that "he was right on it from day one".
May 2020: Published memoir, Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me
In May 2020, Joni Ernst published her memoir, "Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me".
May 2020: Voted for amendment on web search engine data collection
In May 2020, Joni Ernst voted for an amendment co-sponsored by Senators Steve Daines and Ron Wyden that would have required federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies to obtain federal court warrants when collecting web search engine data from American citizens, nationals, or residents under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
August 2020: COVID-19 conspiracy theory
In August 2020, Joni Ernst repeated a debunked conspiracy theory about inflated COVID-19 case numbers in Iowa, later retracting her statements.
September 2020: Supported Trump's Supreme Court Nominee
In September 2020, Joni Ernst voiced her support for President Trump nominating a new Supreme Court Justice following Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.
October 2020: Voted in line with Trump
As of October 2020, Joni Ernst had voted in line with Donald Trump's positions 91.1% of the time.
2020: Did not endorse Steve King in primary race
In 2020, Joni Ernst did not make an endorsement in Steve King's Republican primary race, which he lost.
2020: Re-election to the Senate
In 2020, Joni Ernst ran for reelection and defeated Democratic nominee Theresa Greenfield by 110,138 votes, securing another term in the U.S. Senate.
May 28, 2021: Vote Against Capitol Attack Commission
On May 28, 2021, Joni Ernst voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the 2021 United States Capitol attack.
September 11, 2021: Biden's activities related to 9/11
On September 11, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order declassifying 9/11 documents and visited 9/11 crash sites, events that Ernst claimed were being diverted from by Biden's policies.
September 2021: Criticized Biden's 'Path Out of the Pandemic' initiative
In September 2021, Joni Ernst criticized President Joe Biden's "Path Out of the Pandemic" initiative, accusing him of overstepping presidential powers.
2021: Participated in Electoral College vote count
In 2021, Joni Ernst participated in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count. She condemned the storming of the U.S. Capitol, voted to support certification, and opposed impeaching Trump.
August 2022: Voted against capping the price of insulin
In August 2022, Joni Ernst voted against capping the price of insulin at $35, despite mentioning she has two diabetic family members.
November 29, 2022: Voted for the Respect for Marriage Act
On November 29, 2022, Joni Ernst was one of 12 Republican senators to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act, which passed the Senate.
2022: Projected increase in medical costs under Ernst's Medicare plan
A CBO report found that Ernst's plan to partially privatize Medicare and Medicaid would increase medical costs for Medicare beneficiaries 61% by 2022, compared with 27% under the existing structure.
2023: Alleged romantic relationship with "the general who oversaw" the Air Force's "lobbying before Congress"
According to multiple sources, before the Inspector General for the Air Force completed a report on that general's behavior in 2023, Joni Ernst had a romantic relationship with "the general who oversaw" the Air Force's "lobbying before Congress", raising conflict of interest questions about Ernst, who was serving on the Armed Services Committee at the time.
2023: Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee
In 2023, Joni Ernst became the chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, holding the fourth-ranking position among Republicans in the Senate until 2025.
February 2024: Voted for $95 billion foreign aid bill
In February 2024, Joni Ernst broke with most Senate Republicans to vote for a $95 billion foreign aid bill that included $60 billion to support Ukraine.
March 2024: Announced run for Senate Republican Conference chair
In March 2024, Joni Ernst announced her candidacy for Senate Republican Conference chair in 2025.
January 2025: Trump took office as president for the second time
After Trump took office as president for the second time in January 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sought access to the sensitive systems of several U.S. government bodies, prompting multiple legal challenges.
February 2025: Expressed Support for DOGE's Actions
In February 2025, Joni Ernst expressed her support for the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) actions, which sought access to the sensitive systems of several U.S. government bodies, prompting legal challenges.
March 2025: ProPublica report on alleged romantic relationships with military officials
In March 2025, ProPublica reported on alleged romantic relationships Joni Ernst had with a Navy official in 2019 and an Air Force general before 2023. These relationships raised conflict of interest questions regarding her service on the Armed Services Committee.
May 30, 2025: "We are all going to die" comment at town hall meeting
On May 30, 2025, at a town hall meeting, Joni Ernst responded to a constituent's concern about Medicaid and SNAP cuts by saying, "Well, we are all going to die. For heaven's sakes, folks". She later apologized in an Instagram video, explaining she assumed everyone understood mortality and encouraged embracing Jesus Christ. The incident was mocked by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
September 2, 2025: Announcement not to seek reelection
On September 2, 2025, Joni Ernst announced that she would not seek reelection in 2026.
2025: End of term as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee
In 2025, Joni Ernst's term as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee ended.
2025: Tom Cotton elected conference chair
In 2025, Tom Cotton was elected conference chair instead of Joni Ernst.
2026: Year of not seeking re-election
In 2026, Joni Ernst did not seek re-election, following her announcement on September 2, 2025.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Nancy Pelosi is a prominent American politician notably serving as...
Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu is an Israeli politician and diplomat currently...
The Affordable Care Act ACA also known as Obamacare is...
Saudi Arabia officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia KSA is...
Sarah Palin is an American politician best known for serving...
Trending
18 minutes ago Taiwan watches Trump-Xi summit amid arms sales uncertainty and policy change warnings.
18 minutes ago Andor: A Prescient Star Wars Reflection on Truth, Lessons, and Binged Lightsabers.
1 hour ago Stephen Curry's Future: Retirement Plans and Strong Message to the Warriors.
1 hour ago Russia tests RS-28 Sarmat, a powerful nuclear-capable missile, showcasing military strength.
2 hours ago Barcelona Prepares for La Liga Match Against Alavés; Eyes Julián Alvarez
2 hours ago Cisco stock surges on AI orders, plans 4,000 job cuts, exceeding forecast.
Popular
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Ted Turner is an American entrepreneur and media mogul best...
Thomas Massie is a Republican politician and engineer representing Kentucky's...
William Franklin Graham III known as Franklin Graham is an...
Kash Patel is an American lawyer who currently serves as...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...