
U.S. Senator
Joni Ernst
Iowa
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U.S. Senator
Iowa
Contact
Voting Profile
Most Active Policy Areas
182
Votes Analyzed
Data sources: voteview, congress.gov
Political Position
Senator Joni Ernst holds a conservative voting record that aligns closely with, and slightly exceeds, the Republican Party average. Her NOMINATE score of 0.538 places her firmly in the conservative camp, reflecting consistent support for traditional Republican policy priorities.
Near the average for Republicans (0.52)
Data source: VoteView NOMINATE scores (UCLA/UC San Diego)
Policy Positions
182
total votes analyzed
Overview
Joni Ernst has served as a U.S. Senator from Iowa since 2015, bringing a background that includes military service in the Iowa Army National Guard. Her voting record demonstrates strong alignment with conservative priorities, particularly in areas of defense, agriculture, and fiscal policy. Senator Ernst has shown notable engagement on healthcare legislation, casting 92 votes in this category with a roughly even split between supporting and opposing various measures. This suggests active participation in healthcare debates during significant reform discussions. Her voting patterns on defense issues (67% yea) reflect her military background and support for armed services-related legislation. On economic matters, Ernst has voted consistently in favor of budget and taxation measures that came before her, while showing more selective support for banking and finance legislation (20% yea). Her 100% support rate on agriculture votes aligns with Iowa's significant agricultural economy and her representation of farming interests.
Key Positions
By Policy Area
Analysis updated: January 9, 2026
Campaign Finance
Includes all authorized campaign committees (principal committee, joint fundraising, and other authorized committees). Outside spending by Super PACs and independent groups is shown separately below. Verify on FEC.gov →
Career: $49.5M
Fundraising Over Time
Contribution Sources
74%
26%
Individual Breakdown
Itemized (>$200)
$2.8M
Small Dollar (<$200)
$1.6M
Donation Sizes
Share of individual contribution dollars by donation size, current election cycle.
Where the Money Comes From
Itemized individual contributions only (donations over $200 report the donor's state). Small-dollar donations are not included because the FEC does not itemize them.
Top Contributors
Top Contributing Industries
Top Donor Employers
Employer as self-reported by itemized donors. “Not Employed” and “Self-Employed” typically rank highest for small-dollar campaigns and include retirees.
Where the Money Goes
Spending by Purpose
Purpose categories are self-reported on FEC filings; large “Other” totals are common.
Top Payees
TARGETED VICTORY
SOCKO STRATEGIES LLC
CMDI
VENABLE LLP
TRUIST VISA
STANTON CHILD RESOURCE CENTER
DOT THE I DESIGN AND GRAPHICS
RIGHTSIDE COMPLIANCE LLC
Detailed Breakdown
Expenditures
Operating Costs
$4.4M
Operating Offsets
$167K
Net Operating
$4.2M
Transfers
Transfers Out
$41K
Refunds
Individual Refunds
$573K
Committee Refunds
$408K
Outside Spending (Super PACs)
Supporting
$21.6M
Opposing
$130.4M
Total Outside Spending
$152.0M
Top Outside Spenders
DSCC
SMP
SENATE LEADERSHIP FUND
LCV VICTORY FUND
END CITIZENS UNITED
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS CONGRESSIONAL FUND
EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY VICTORY FUND (EVERYTOWN VICTORY FUND)
FREEDOM PARTNERS ACTION FUND INC
Independent expenditures are made without coordination with the candidate. Source: FEC Schedule E filings.
Voting Record
127 votes across 12 categories