The New Senate Small Business Chair — Joni Ernst

January 16, 2025

Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

The New Senate Small Business Chair — Joni Ernst

“Helping my mom and dad around the family farm and watching my dad juggle the farm with his construction business taught me the value of hard work,” says Ernst. “In Iowa and across the country, small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and as they grow, our nation grows. After four years of price hikes and miles of red tape that has stifled growth, it is finally a new day in Washington. We are going to roll back damaging regulations, increase transparency, and reform the broken SBA to actually serve Main Street. Let’s get to work!” 

After graduating from Iowa State, Joni joined the U.S. Army Reserves. In 2003, she served as a company commander in Kuwait and Iraq, leading 150 Iowa Army National Guardsmen during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Joni retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard after 23 years of military service.

Joni previously served as the Montgomery County Auditor and was the local commissioner of elections. 

As a state senator, Joni fought to balance the state budget and helped turn Iowa’s $900 million budget deficit into a $1 billion surplus. In November 2014, Joni was elected as the first woman to serve in federal elected office from the State of Iowa and also became the first female combat veteran elected to serve in the United States Senate.