Joni Ernst (b.1970). An American politician and retired military officer, serving as the junior United States senator from Iowa since 2015. A prominent figure in the Republican Party, she previously held office in the Iowa State Senate and as Montgomery County Auditor.
Ernst is recognized as the first woman combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate and the first woman to represent Iowa in Congress. Known for her conservative, pro-MAGA policy positions, she has played a significant role in shaping the party’s fiscal and social agenda, including leading the Senate Republican Policy Committee and the newly formed DOGE Caucus focused on government efficiency and spending cuts. [Luce Index™ score: 55/100]
Joni Ernst was born and raised on a farm near Red Oak, Iowa, where she graduated as valedictorian before earning her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.
She joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and later served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Iowa Army National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Her military service included a deployment as a company commander during the Iraq War.
Ernst’s political rise began at the county level, advancing to the Iowa Senate in 2011, where she advocated for states’ rights and limited federal government.
Her 2014 U.S. Senate campaign gained national attention with a memorable ad referencing her farm experience—“castrating hogs”—as a metaphor for cutting government waste.
This populist, tough-talking style became her trademark, encapsulated in her slogan, “Let’s make ‘em squeal.” She ran on a platform calling for a balanced budget amendment, abolishing the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency, and repealing the Affordable Care Act.
A steadfast conservative, Ernst has championed fiscal restraint, proposing high-profile measures to eliminate waste and fraud in federal programs, such as SNAP and unemployment benefits, and to end taxpayer-funded union time. She has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda, though she has occasionally diverged, particularly on foreign policy and trade issues.
Ernst’s willingness to follow Senate procedures and sometimes moderate her stance has drawn criticism from the MAGA wing, resulting in public pressure campaigns and threats of primary challenges.
Her political style is direct and unapologetic, as seen in a viral incident where, in response to concerns about cutting Medicaid and food assistance, she remarked, “We’re all going to die,” later posting a sarcastic video apology. Such moments have both energized her base and sparked controversy.
Despite facing internal party pressures and external criticism, Ernst remains a pivotal figure in Republican politics, shaping debates on government spending, social welfare, and national security. Her leadership is seen as emblematic of the evolving conservative movement, balancing traditional Republican values with the demands of the MAGA era.