Ernst, Joni, 1970-

Joni Kay Ernst (née Culver; born July 1, 1970) is an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator for Iowa since 2015. She is a member of the Republican Party.

A native of Red Oak, Iowa, Ernst was valedictorian of her class at Stanton Community School District High School before going on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology from Iowa State University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University. She served in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Ernst was elected Montgomery County Auditor in 2004 and reelected in 2008. She was elected to the Iowa State Senate in a special election in 2011 and reelected in 2012. She represented District 12, in southwestern Iowa.

Ernst was considered a "long shot" at the start of her 2014 Senate campaign but was boosted by support from the Koch brothers and an ad that gained nationwide attention in which she referenced her experience castrating pigs, saying she would "cut pork" in Congress. Having been strongly critical of President Barack Obama, she has been characterized as a reliable ally of President Donald Trump, and was thought to be a possible running mate in his 2016 campaign. Ernst ran for reelection in 2020. She was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced Democratic nominee Theresa Greenfield, a businesswoman and former congressional candidate, in the general election. Ernst was seen as the strong favorite and eventually defeated her opponent, 52%-45%.

Ernst opposes legalized abortion, and has supported a fetal personhood amendment and introduced legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. She opposes the Affordable Care Act and has called for reforms to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. She has indicated concern, although not opposition, to Trump's trade war with China and criticized some aspects of his foreign policy. While supporting both Trump's nominees for EPA administrator, she has expressed concern over their commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard. She rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. At times, Ernst has appeared to support the idea that states can nullify federal laws, and has advocated for the elimination of federal departments such as the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the federal minimum wage.