Joni Ernst, born Joni Kay Culver in Montgomery County, Iowa, is a Republican U.S. Senator representing Iowa. Raised on a farm, she graduated as valedictorian from Stanton High School. Ernst earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Iowa State University in 1992 and a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University in 1995. She served 23 years in the military, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard. In 2014, Ernst became the first woman elected to federal office from Iowa and the first female combat veteran in the U.S. Senate.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Iowa State University
  • Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University

• Political Experience:

  • Montgomery County Auditor
  • Iowa State Senator
  • U.S. Senator from Iowa

Notable Achievements and Positions

• First woman elected to federal office from Iowa
• First female combat veteran in the U.S. Senate
• Served as company commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Advocate for veterans' affairs and agricultural issues
• Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
• Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee
• Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee
• Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee