Table of Biography
Joni Ernst is an American former military officer and present politician. Joni Ernst is known for serving as the junior United States Senator for Iowa since 2015.
Early Life and Education
Joni Ernst was born on 1 July 1970 and her age is currently 52 years old. Her birthplace is Red Oak, Iowa, and her zodiac sign is Cancer. Likewise, her birth name is Joni Kay Culver. Talking about her family, her parents are mother Marilyn, and father Richard Culver.
Regarding her education, she attended Stanton Community School District High School and was valedictorian of her class. She then attended Iowa State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1992. She earned her Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University, graduating in 1995. While in college, this personality took part in an agricultural exchange program to the Soviet Union.
Caption: Joni Ernst and her family posing for a photo with the Vice President in 2015. Source: Radio Iowa
Professional Life and Career
Professionally, Joni is a politician as well as a former military officer. She serves as the junior United States Senator for Iowa. She has held the aforementioned seat since 2015. Likewise, she is a member of the Republican Party and previously served in the Iowa State Senate from 2011 to 2014. Moreover, she was an auditor of Montgomery County from 2004 to 2008. Besides her political career, she is also an author who published her memoir Daughter of the Heartland: My Ode to the Country That Raised Me in May 2020.
At the young age of 20 years, this personality joined Iowa State University’s ROTC program. Soon after graduating, she joined the United States Army Reserve. Subsequently, she served as a logistics officer. She also attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard.
In 2003–2004, this personality spent 12 months in Kuwait. She was the company commander of the 1168th Transportation Company during the Iraq War. When she was nearing the end of her career, this personality served as the commanding officer of the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Camp Dodge. This is the Iowa Army National Guard’s largest battalion. She retired from the military in 2015. She served 23 years in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Caption: Joni Ernst during her retirement from Army National Guard. Source: Omaha World-Herald
Career in Politics
In the year 2011, this personality was elected to the Iowa State Senate in a special election and reelected the next year. She also ran for the United States Senate in 2014 and won. She succeeded longtime Democratic Senator Tom Harkin and became the first Republican to win that seat since 1978.
Later in November 2018, she was elected vice-chair of the Senate Republican Conference and was reelected in 2020. In 2020, she defeated Democratic nominee Theresa Greenfield by 6.6 points.
Talking about her stand on various issues, this politician opposes legalized abortion. She has supported a fetal personhood amendment and subsequently introduced legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. Moreover, this politician opposes the Affordable Care Act and has called for reforms to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
During the Trump administration, this personality expressed concern about Trump’s trade war with China and also criticized some aspects of his foreign policy. This politician voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as well. While supporting both Trump’s nominees for EPA administrator, this politician expressed concern over their commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Additionally, this politician rejects the scientific consensus on climate change and has opposed a federal minimum wage. She has advocated for the elimination of federal departments like the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Caption: Joni Ernst enjoying her victory after winning Iowa. Source: The New York Times
Joni Ernst – Net Worth 2024
Moving on, this politician’s net worth is negative as of 2022. She owed more than $20k, i.e. her net worth as of 2012 is -$200k. Other than this, there is no information about her salary, assets values, cars, houses, endorsements, and so on.
Relationship Status
Joni is a divorcee at present. She previously tied the knot with Gail Ernst in 1992. Together, Gail and Joni have one daughter named Libby. There was an announcement on 27 August 2018 regarding the couple’s impending divorce. The couple’s divorce was later finalized in January 2019. This politician alleged that her ex-husband had verbally and mentally abused her and on one occasion, also physically assaulted her.
Caption: Joni Ernst and her daughter posing for a photo. Source: Twitter
Body Measurements
Joni approximate height is 5 feet 6 inches and her weight is around 62 kg. Likewise, the politician’s chest-waist-hip measures are 33-24-35 inches respectively. Similarly, this politician has blonde hair that has turned grey with aging and green eyes.
Joni Ernst – Social Media
Joni joined Twitter in November 2014 and so far has over 143.9k followers on her @SenJoniErnst account. Likewise, she goes by @senjoniernst on Instagram with 19.4k followers. Also, she is available on Facebook as “Senator Joni Ernst” where she has more than 65k followers.