History of Joni Ernst in Timeline

Joni Ernst is an American politician and retired military officer currently serving as the junior United States senator from Iowa since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Ernst's career blends both political and military experience. She represents Iowa in the U.S. Senate.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

July 1, 1970: Joni Ernst's Birth

On July 1, 1970, Joni Kay Ernst, née Culver, was born. She is an American politician and retired military officer.

Others born on this day/year

1992: Marriage to Gail Ernst

In 1992, Joni Culver married Gail Ernst.

1992: Earned Bachelor of Arts Degree

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.

1995: Earned Master of Public Administration Degree

In 1995, Joni Ernst earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University.

2003: Deployment to Kuwait

In 2003, Joni Ernst spent 12 months in Kuwait as commander of the 1168th Transportation Company, during the Iraq War.

2004: Deployment to Kuwait

In 2004, Joni Ernst spent 12 months in Kuwait as commander of the 1168th Transportation Company, during the Iraq War.

2004: Elected Montgomery County Auditor

In 2004, Joni Ernst was elected as the Montgomery County Auditor, defeating the incumbent.

January 2005: Became Auditor of Montgomery County

In January 2005, Joni Ernst became the auditor of Montgomery County, Iowa.

2008: Re-elected Montgomery County Auditor

In 2008, Joni Ernst ran unopposed and was re-elected as Montgomery County Auditor.

January 5, 2011: End of term as auditor of Montgomery County

On January 5, 2011, Joni Ernst's term as auditor of Montgomery County concluded.

2011: Endorsed partial privatization of Medicare and Medicaid

In 2011, Joni Ernst expressed support for reforming Medicare and Medicaid and endorsed a partial privatization of both programs in an Iowa Senate vote.

2011: Elected to Iowa State Senate

In 2011, Joni Ernst was elected to the Iowa State Senate in a special election.

2012: Supports 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: Re-elected to Iowa State Senate

In 2012, Joni Ernst was re-elected to the Iowa State Senate, representing District 12 in southwestern Iowa.

July 2013: Announced Senate Candidacy

In July 2013, Joni Ernst announced that she would seek the Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin.

October 2013: Kim Reynolds Endorsement

In October 2013, Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds endorsed Joni Ernst for the Senate seat.

2013: Comments on nullification

In 2013, Joni Ernst said Congress should not pass laws "that the states would consider nullifying", referring to what she called "200-plus years of federal legislators going against the Tenth Amendment's states' rights."

2013: Comments on government reliance

In 2013, Joni Ernst said 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: Trailing in Republican Primary Polls

In February 2014, before the "cut pork" ad, Joni Ernst was trailing Mark Jacobs in two polls of the Republican primary.

March 2014: Endorsements by Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin

In March 2014, Joni Ernst received endorsements from former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

March 2014: "Cut Pork" Campaign Ad

In March 2014, Joni Ernst released a campaign advertisement comparing her experience castrating pigs to her ability to "cut pork" in Congress, gaining widespread attention.

May 2014: Response to AWOL Characterization

In May 2014, Joni Ernst stated she was "extremely offended" by comments characterizing her as AWOL for missing over 100 votes in the legislative session.

May 2014: Endorsement by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

In May 2014, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a lobbying group, endorsed Joni Ernst's Senate campaign.

August 2014: Support for Additional Troops in Iraq

In August 2014, when asked about limited airstrikes in Iraq, Joni Ernst expressed support for leaving additional troops in Iraq longer.

October 2014: Stance on Campaign Finance Laws

In October 2014, during a debate, Joni Ernst stated that she “believe[s] 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 upon her election to the U.S. Senate.

2014: NRA spending in support of Ernst

According to data from OpenSecrets, between 2014 and 2018, the NRA spent $3,124,273 in support of Joni Ernst, primarily attacking candidates running against her.

2014: Spokespeople argued that she 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: Criticism of President Obama

In 2014, Joni Ernst criticized President Barack Obama, calling him a "dictator" who should be "removed from office" or face "impeachment" due to his recess appointments and handling of the Ebola outbreak.

2014: Sexual Harassment Revelations

In 2014, Joni Ernst spoke to Time magazine about experiencing sexual harassment in the military.

2014: Elected to the U.S. Senate

In 2014, Joni Ernst was elected to the U.S. Senate.

2014: Comments on same-sex marriage

In a 2014 debate, Joni Ernst stated that she believes that same-sex marriage is a state's rights issue but would support a federal ban if one were proposed. She co-sponsored a bill to amend the Iowa state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

2014: Comments on Santa Barbara shooting and Second Amendment rights

In a 2014 debate, Joni Ernst, speaking about the Santa Barbara shooting, stated that she did not believe the tragedy should infringe upon people's Second Amendment rights.

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 1985.

2015: Became a U.S. Senator

In 2015, Joni Ernst became the junior United States Senator from Iowa, serving since then.

2015: Retired from Iowa Army National Guard

In 2015, Joni Ernst retired from the Iowa Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel.

2015: Retired from the Military

In 2015, Joni Ernst retired from the military after 23 years of service in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.

May 2016: Mentioned as Possible Vice Presidential Nominee

In May 2016, Chris Cillizza included Joni Ernst on his short list of potential vice presidential running mates for Donald Trump.

2016: Introduction of "Sarah's Law"

In 2016, Joni Ernst and other Republican senators introduced "Sarah's Law" in honor of Sarah Root.

2016: Opposed Garland Nomination

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.

2016: Endorsed Steve King

In 2016, when Steve King faced a primary challenge for his House seat, Joni Ernst endorsed him, saying he "stands strong for life and liberty."

February 2017: Vote to Confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary

In February 2017, Joni Ernst voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary, citing their shared belief that those "closest" to students know what is best for them.

2017: Opposition to Trump's ban on transgender people in the military

In 2017, Joni Ernst announced her opposition to Trump's ban on transgender people serving in the armed forces. She also announced her opposition to government funding of gender-reassignment surgeries.

2017: Criticism of Russia's Behavior

In 2017, Joni Ernst called Russia's behavior, including its annexation of Crimea and interference in U.S. elections, "totally unacceptable" and said Trump should "show strength against Vladimir Putin".

2017: Commitment from James Mattis on Spending and Sexual Assault

In 2017, Joni Ernst secured a commitment from Secretary of Defense nominee James Mattis to cut wasteful spending and stop sexual assault in the military.

2017: Support for Withdrawing from Paris Climate Accords

In 2017, Joni Ernst supported Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accords.

2017: Voted for ACA repeal

In 2017, Joni Ernst voted for all three versions of a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

2017: Vote for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In 2017, Joni Ernst voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

2017: Response to Steve King's controversial remarks

In 2017, after Steve King attracted criticism for saying "we can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies" and for supporting European far-right politicians, Joni Ernst said she did not condone King's behavior but would not ask for his resignation.

2017: Letter requesting review of bump stock regulations

In 2017, amid bipartisan momentum for bump stock restrictions, Joni Ernst was one of 10 Republican senators to sign a letter requesting that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives review a decision that bump stocks fall outside the purview of existing gun regulations.

January 2018: Signed letter requesting preservation of 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.

March 2018: Vote on Resolution Regarding Troops in Yemen

In March 2018, Joni Ernst voted to table a resolution that would have required Trump to withdraw American troops in or influencing Yemen within 30 days.

May 2018: Introduction of 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 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. The sentence was also related to disparaging comments about Reade, threats against the prosecutor and his children, and against black corrections officers.

June 2018: Questioning Suspension of Military Exercises with South Korea

In June 2018, Joni Ernst questioned Trump's decision to suspend joint military exercises with South Korea.

June 2018: Letter regarding Judge Advocate General's Corps

In June 2018, Joni Ernst, along with Democratic senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Patrick Leahy, wrote Defense Secretary James Mattis a letter expressing concern over the decision to send 21 Judge Advocate General's Corps to prosecute immigration cases on the southern border.

July 2018: Endorsed Immigration and Customs Enforcement

In July 2018, Joni Ernst was one of 31 Republican senators to submit a resolution endorsing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating that its abolition would allow "dangerous criminal aliens" and members of the MS-13 gang to remain in the U.S.

August 2018: Warned that failure to finish trade deals would "reflect negatively upon our Republican candidates"

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 husband

On August 27, 2018, Joni Ernst announced that she and her husband were in the process of obtaining a divorce.

November 2018: Elected Vice Chair of Senate Republican Conference

In November 2018, Joni Ernst was elected as the vice chair of the Senate Republican Conference.

November 2018: Response to Khashoggi 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 spending in support of Ernst

According to data from OpenSecrets, between 2014 and 2018, the NRA spent $3,124,273 in support of Joni Ernst, primarily attacking candidates running against her.

2018: Comments on border wall

Amid the 2018–19 United States federal government shutdown that resulted after Trump demanded $5.7 billion for a border wall, Joni Ernst said she would "tend to agree that not all areas of our border need a physical barrier" if they are monitored by technology or Border Patrol agents and it was possible to respond in a "timely manner".

2018: Comments on Stoneman Douglas High School shooting

Following the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Joni Ernst attributed the "root cause" of many mass shootings to mental illness. She 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.

2018: Appeared with Steve King at a 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 Supreme Court Nomination Stance

In 2018, Joni Ernst reiterated her stance against hearing Supreme Court nominees during presidential election years, referencing a precedent set.

2018: Urging Caution with Russia

In 2018, Joni Ernst urged caution if the U.S. worked with Russia to "put a lid on Iran", saying that Russia would never be "a true friend or ally" to the U.S.

2018: Voted against reinstating net neutrality

In 2018, Joni Ernst voted against reinstating net neutrality after an FCC ruling. Ernst opposes net neutrality, which prevents internet service providers from blocking or slowing down certain content.

2018: Cosponsored bill to guarantee coverage for people with 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: Concerns over Troop Withdrawal from Syria

In 2018, after missile strikes against Syria, Joni Ernst expressed discomfort about committing more American troops and signed a letter expressing concern over Trump's announcement of troop withdrawal from Syria, calling the move a "premature and costly mistake".

2018: Response to Fourth National Climate Assessment

In 2018, after the release of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, detailing the impact of climate change, Joni Ernst said that "our climate always changes and we see those ebb and flows through time".

2018: Accusation Against Scott Pruitt

In 2018, after voting to confirm Trump nominee Scott Pruitt as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Joni Ernst said that he had lied to her about upholding the Renewable Fuel Standard.

2018: Worried about impact on farmers

In 2018, as Trump imposed tariffs as part of his trade policy and other countries responded in kind, Joni Ernst said she was willing to give him some leeway but worried about the impact on farmers.

January 2019: Divorce finalized

In January 2019, the divorce between Joni Ernst and Gail Ernst was finalized, with Joni alleging verbal, mental, and physical abuse. Accusations of infidelity were exchanged.

February 2019: Vote 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 Release of Mueller Report

In March 2019, after the release of an abridged summary of the Mueller report, Joni Ernst called for the release of the report's full findings.

May 2019: Comments on trade war between the United States and China

In May 2019, amid a trade war between the United States and China, Joni Ernst said she did not like tariffs but that the "president's way of negotiating ... brings people to the table." She said that Iowa farmers are "disappointed" but that they recognize "that China is the one that is forcing this."

June 2019: Request to Limit 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: Coordination with Political Nonprofits

In December 2019, the Associated Press reported that Joni Ernst's campaign had closely coordinated with a political nonprofit, prompting a complaint to the Federal Election Commission.

2019: Accused Nancy Pelosi of "slow-walking" the passage of 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: Alleged romantic relationship with Navy official

In 2019, Joni Ernst allegedly had a romantic relationship with a "legislative affairs official" for the Navy. This relationship raised conflict of interest questions about Ernst, who was serving on the Armed Services Committee at the time.

2019: Appointed to Senate Judiciary Committee

In 2019, Joni Ernst became the first female Republican to be appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

2019: Cosponsored bill on concealed carry privileges

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: Call to Protect Kurdish Partners in Syria

In 2019, Joni Ernst was one of six senators to sign a bipartisan letter to Trump calling on him to "urge Turkey to end their offensive and find a way to a peaceful resolution while supporting our Kurdish partners to ensure regional stability" in Syria.

2019: Politico Called Ernst 'Reliable'

In 2019, Politico described Joni Ernst as "a reliable vote for most of Trump's agenda".

2019: Rebuked Steve King after controversial remarks

In 2019, amid extensive criticism of Steve King by Republican politicians after King made controversial remarks about white supremacy, Joni Ernst rebuked him.

January 2020: Support for 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 and Impeachment Suggestion for Biden

In February 2020, Joni Ernst voted to acquit Trump on both articles of impeachment, arguing he had learned his lesson. She also suggested that Joe Biden could be impeached if he becomes president over his actions in Ukraine.

May 2020: Praise for Trump's Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

In May 2020, Joni Ernst praised Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, "he was right on it from day one".

May 2020: Published memoir, Daughter of the Heartland

In May 2020, Joni Ernst published her memoir, Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me.

Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me

Check it on Amazon

May 2020: Voted for amendment on web search engine data

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 walking back her statements.

September 2020: Supported Nomination Before Election

In September 2020, Joni Ernst supported Trump nominating a new Supreme Court justice before the November election after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.

October 2020: Voting Alignment with Donald 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 unopposed in the Republican primary and subsequently defeated Democratic nominee Theresa Greenfield to be re-elected to the 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.

August 2021: Criticism of Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

In August 2021, Joni Ernst called the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan "rapid and haphazard" and "shameful", criticizing the Biden administration for removing troops before guaranteeing the safety of the U.S. embassy.

September 11, 2021: Biden's Agenda on 9/11 Anniversary

On September 11, 2021, President Biden's agenda included visits to three 9/11 crash sites in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, coinciding with Joni Ernst's criticism of his pandemic initiative.

September 2021: Criticism of Biden's Pandemic Initiative

In September 2021, Joni Ernst accused President Joe Biden of overstepping presidential powers with the "Path Out of the Pandemic" initiative, linking it to diversions from 9/11 and the Afghanistan withdrawal.

2021: Response to Capitol Attack and Electoral College Certification

In 2021, Joni Ernst participated in the certification of the Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. She condemned the violence, supported 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 acknowledging that 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: Increased medical costs for Medicare beneficiaries

A CBO report found that Joni Ernst's plan would increase medical costs for Medicare beneficiaries 61% by 2022, compared with 27% under the existing structure.

2022: Support for Overturning Roe v. Wade

In 2022, Ernst supported the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade, calling it a science-based decision.

October 2023: Congressional Delegation to Israel

In October 2023, days after the beginning of the Gaza war, Joni Ernst led a congressional delegation to meetings with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, other Israeli leaders, and American civilians in Israel to "reassure the leadership in Israel" and show solidarity.

2023: Air Force Inspector General report completed

At some point before 2023, Joni Ernst allegedly had a relationship with "the general who oversaw" the Air Force's "lobbying before Congress." In 2023 the Inspector General for the Air Force completed a report on that general's behavior. These relationships raised 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 chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, becoming the fourth-ranking Republican in the Senate.

February 2024: Vote for Foreign Aid Bill Supporting Ukraine

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, saying it would "push back against our adversaries' aggression".

March 2024: Announced Candidacy for Senate Republican Conference Chair

In March 2024, Joni Ernst announced her candidacy for Senate Republican Conference chair in 2025.

July 2024: Call for Action on Israel and Criticism of Kamala Harris

In July 2024, Joni Ernst led a Republican press conference calling for U.S. sanctions and weapons to help Israel defeat Hamas. She also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for not attending Netanyahu's speech to Congress.

February 2025: Support for DOGE's Actions

In February 2025, Joni Ernst expressed her support for the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) actions seeking access to sensitive systems of several U.S. government bodies, stating that the disruption was necessary to scrutinize records and expenditures.

March 2025: ProPublica report on alleged romantic relationships

In March 2025, ProPublica reported that Joni Ernst had romantic relationships with a Navy legislative affairs official in 2019 and an Air Force general before 2023, raising conflict of interest questions about her service on the Armed Services Committee.

May 30, 2025: "We are all going to die" comment

On May 30, 2025, Joni Ernst responded to a constituent's concern about potential deaths from Medicaid and SNAP cuts with the statement, "Well, we are all going to die. For heaven's sakes, folks". The comments led to backlash and Ernst issued an apology video.

September 2, 2025: Announcement of Not Seeking Reelection

On September 2, 2025, Joni Ernst announced that she would not seek reelection in 2026.

2025: Introduction of the Food Security and Farm Protection Act

In 2025, Joni Ernst introduced the Food Security and Farm Protection Act, an updated version of the King Amendment and Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, aiming to prohibit state and local governments from imposing production standards on agricultural goods sold in interstate commerce. This bill was introduced in response to California's Proposition 12.