Ernst announces re-election plans — indirectly

CEDAR RAPIDS - In a roundabout way, Sen. Joni Ernst announced her 2020 re-election plans Thursday.

Her announcement came when the freshman Republican, elected in 2014, was asked during her weekly conference call with Iowa news reporters if she might be part of the 2016 GOP presidential ticket.

'With your obvious grasp of national and international goings on, might you entertain a possible spot on an eventual GOP ticket?” a Fairfield radio reporter asked.

Ernst laughingly dismissed the question.

'Did my mother pay you to say that?” Ernst said.

She went on to say she has no plans to be a running mate to the Republican Party's eventual nominee.

'The next ticket I anticipate running on will be the 2020 election for United States Senate again in Iowa,” the former state and county elected official said. 'I very much enjoy serving Iowans and I am going to put their priorities first.”