Ernst says she declined to be Trump’s running mate

CEDAR RAPIDS - Sen. Joni Ernst is elated by the outcome of the presidential election and has no regrets about turning down president-elect Donald Trump's invitation to be his vice presidential running mate.

Ernst, who was elected to the Senate two years ago, said Thursday she loves what's she's doing and hopes 'to be a great advocate for him in the United States Senate.”

Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, was among a handful of people Trump considered as a running mate. She met with him over the Fourth of July weekend at his golf course in New Jersey, according to news reports at the time.

Campaigning in Sioux City Sunday, Trump said Ernst turned down his invitation because she felt she wasn't ready for the office.

'She was on a very short list,” Trump said, 'and she felt she needed a little - it wasn't me, it wasn't me - she felt she needed a little more seasoning, really.”

Ernst, who spoke at the Heritage Area Agency on Aging's Caregiver Wellness Day at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, told Trump she wanted to remain in the Senate because she's 'happy to be where I am.”

'The way I laid it out to him was that I really do love being a United States senator. I love working for the people of Iowa,” she said. The election outcome hasn't caused any regrets over that decision.

'Not at all,” Ernst said. 'I think I have a purpose in the United States Senate.”

She's looking forward to getting back to work in Washington, where one of the first priorities will be avoiding a government shutdown when the current continuing resolution expires Dec. 9.

Ernst said she doesn't anticipate any changes in her committee assignments - Armed Services, Small Business, Homeland Security and Agriculture. She expects Trump and his secretary of agriculture to 'engage quite heavily” on ag issues, including writing a new Farm Bill.

Among those mentioned for the post are Gov. Terry Branstad, Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey and President of the Board of Regents Bruce Rastetter.

Ernst wouldn't say who she is recommending, but hopes it will be someone from the Midwest 'who is familiar with agriculture and agricultural issues.”

From Iowa?

'I hope from Iowa,” she said, then quickly added, 'I'd love to see all of the appointees from Iowa.”