New Ernst ad highlights ‘life of service’

CEDAR RAPIDS - Getting hammered by her opponent and outside groups for her positions on climate change, renewable fuel mandates and gas taxes, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst is highlighting her commitment to service - including military service in Iraq - in a new television ad.

'I believe in service. In Iowans helping Iowans,” Ernst says in the 30-second spot that highlights her service as a soldier, Sunday school teacher and elected official.

Ernst, a state senator from Red Oak, is locked in a tight battle for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat with Democratic U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley.

Braley and groups supporting him have been attacking Ernst on a number of fronts, including recent comments about continuing military presence in Iraq, where she led convoys.

The ad continues Ernst's record of service, according to campaign spokeswoman Gretchen Hamel, and focuses on service as a shared value of Iowans.

'Iowans have a strong sense of community,” Hamel said. 'Iowans help each other out in times of need.”

In the case of Ernst, who bills herself as 'mother, soldier, independent leader,” that means assisting during emergencies like floods in southwest Iowa as well as serving 20 years in the Iowa National Guard.

'Joni has lived a life of service,” Hamel said, and 'will continue to fight for Iowans and Iowa values in the U.S. Senate.”

Hamel declined to say where or how long the ad will run.