State Senator Joni Ernst in an email to supporters provided a recap of her campaign for U.S. Senate in 2013. You can read the email below:
As 2013 comes to a close, the momentum for our campaign and message is steadily growing.
Beginning with my Announcement Tour in July, through rolling out our early endorsements, including the endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, my performance at the first debate, and the development of our grassroots county chair team, the excitement surrounding this campaign continues to increase.
I want to personally thank you for your support this year. I could not do it without our growing team, and I look forward to working with you toward victory in 2014.
Please join our team and help fight for our Iowa shared values.
Many wishes for a blessed and safe New Year!
YEAR ENDING WITH MOMENTUM BUILDING FOR ERNST:
A Snapshot of 2013 Press About Joni
Iowa View: Joni Ernst belongs in the U.S. Senate
Des Moines Register – 10/6/13
http://abetteriowa.desmoinesregister.com/2013/10/08/reynolds-joni-ernst-belongs-in-us-senate/
“Joni Ernst represents the best of the Republican Party; she represents the best of Iowa. Joni does more than just talk about the policies and values she holds dear. She fights for them. She is the leader we need to help represent our interests in Washington.” – LT. Governor Kim Reynolds
Badge of Honor: Joni Ernst Attacked by Chris Matthews
Caffeinated Thoughts – 12/16/13
http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2013/12/badge-honor-joni-ernst-attacked-chris-matthews/
“I’d consider this to be a badge of honor if I were in her shoes.”
Iowa Governor Branstad says he is ‘particularly intrigued’ by Joni Ernst
Washington Post – 8/3/13
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/08/03/iowa-gov-branstad-says-he-is-particularly-intrigued-by-joni-ernst/
“’We do have, I think, some fairly attractive candidates. I’m particularly intrigued by Joni Ernst,’ Branstad said in an interview at the National Governors Association meeting.”
GOP Senate candidates to face off in Ida Grove
Chronicle Times – 10/30/13
http://www.chronicletimes.com/story/2018591.html
“Ernst, a state senator from Red Oak, led all candidates in the latest round of campaign fundraising reports released earlier in October. Ernst brought in $252,000 for the quarter.”
Joni Ernst Signs the Taxpayer Protection Pledge
Americans for Tax Reform – 7/18/13
http://www.atr.org/?content=071813ernst
“I want to congratulate Mrs. Ernst for taking the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. The American people have clearly shown their displeasure with the tax-and-spend policies coming from Washington. They want real solutions that create jobs, cut government spending, and get the economy going again,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR. “By signing the Pledge, Joni Ernst demonstrates that she understands the problems of hard-working taxpayers nationwide, but especially the taxpayers of Iowa.”
GOP’s Joni Ernst Carries Passion for Gun Right
Sioux City Journal – 8/20/13
http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/gop-s-joni-ernst-carries-passion-for-gun-rights/article_c8f07263-771d-5c24-b3e5-54ca2257bcd8.html
“’I do have a conceal carry permit and I do carry,’ Ernst told members of the Des Moines Conservative Breakfast Club. A state senator from Red Oak, the mother of three said she is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association with the group’s ‘A’ rating who is ‘Army qualified’ on 9 millimeter and M-16 weapons.
‘The Second Amendment is not just words on a piece of paper. We have the right to keep and bear arms – period, and it is something that I am willing to defend when I go to Washington D.C.,’ added Ernst, who served a stint running transportation missions in Kuwait and Iraq as an Iowa Guard member.
After the event, GOP activist Frank Severino said Ernst won his vote.
‘We’ll be a fool if we lose a candidate of this caliber,’ he said. ‘She’s got a winning personality. She shares all my values. We cannot let a candidate like this get away,’ said Severino, who noted that money might be Ernst’s biggest challenge and ‘she’s got to do eastern Iowa big time’ given she’s from the opposite side of the state.”
2013 ENDORSEMENTS BY THE NUMBERS…
In 2013, the Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate campaign has released the endorsement of twenty-two (22) Iowa leaders from across the state. This includes the coveted endorsement of Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds.
Joni has received the endorsement of leading Political Action Committees, including VIEW PAC, ShePAC and VOICES of Conservative Women.
THE FIRST SENATE DEBATE
Video of Joni’s Best Hits from AFP Senate Debate:
6 U.S. Senate candidates have first debate Wednesday
Sioux City Journal – 10/26/13
http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/state-and-regional/u-s-senate-candidates-have-first-debate-wednesday/article_3885cfab-c1fc-5734-98fb-cf4a13033b58.html
“Ernst, a state senator from Red Oak, said voters will be looking for another contrast.
‘Many of us agree,’ she said, but the campaign – including Wednesday’s debate – is about ‘finding that sharp contrast of the Republican nominees. Who is going to paint that contrast to Congressman Bruce Braley? Who is going to beat Bruce Braley?’”
Iowa’s GOP senate candidates attack Obamacare in first debate
Des Moines Register – 10/23/13
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/10/23/298929/article
“Joni Ernst, the farmer’s daughter, got big laughs with a one-liner about castrating hogs.
‘As a farmer’s daughter who grew up in southwest Iowa, castrating hogs with her dad,’ Ernst told the audience of 400 at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium, ‘I can go to Washington and cut pork.
Ernst, a state senator from Red Oak, stressed that she’s the only one of the six candidates who has actually cast votes — in the Iowa Senate, against Medicaid expansion and for state tax cuts.
Ernst did damage control for congressional Republicans.
‘I want to state that I don’t believe any Republican member of Congress wanted to see a shutdown or to cause us to default on our obligations.’ she said. ‘I do believe they brought to light what is the tragedy of Obamacare and what is our $17 trillion debt.’
Obamacare was a central topic of the night.”
THE JONI VS. BRALEY CONTRAST IS CLEAR
