Joni Ernst in 2014 Iowa Senate Debates

On Social Security: Something like personal savings accounts for younger workers

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee aired a TV ad in August called "Team," saying that Ernst "would privatize Social Security." But that goes too far. Ernst hasn't advocated for a completely privatized program, and she certainly hasn't talked about making changes for seniors currently collecting benefits or those nearing retirement, such as the white-haired man featured in the DSCC's ad.

On Abortion: Human life begins at conception

Ernst: Strongly Agree

Question topic: Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?

Ernst: Yes, in the case of life of the mother.

On Civil Rights: Government shouldn't redefine marriage

Ernst: Strongly Agree

On Corporations: Eliminate rules which inhibit strong free-market economy

Ernst: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.

Ernst: Economy- We must eliminate rules and regulations which inhibit a strong free-market economy, and get spending under control.

On Government Reform: Photo ID for voting

Ernst: Strongly Disagree

On Gun Control: Opposes more gun restrictions

Ernst: Strongly Disagree

On Health Care: ObamaCare is egregious overreach of federal government

Ernst: Strongly Disagree

Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.

Ernst: Strongly Agree. Affordable Care Act: A clearly egregious overreach of federal government.

Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.

Ernst: Affordable Care Act- A clearly egregious overreach of federal government.

On Homeland Security: I understand the importance a strong national defense

Ernst: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.

Ernst: Defense/Military- As a veteran, I understand the importance a strong national defense, and taking care of those soldiers who have laid their lives on the line for our freedom.

On Immigration: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry

Ernst: Strongly Agree

On Principles & Values: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework

Ernst: Strongly Disagree.

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Ernst: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Ernst: I am a Christian. I have grown up in the Lutheran faith, worship in the church I grew up in, and continue to teach Sunday school in that very church. My faith and beliefs continue to define who I am today as a mother, wife, soldier, state senator and community leader.

On Abortion: Affordable access to contraception

Ernst responded that the amendment Braley referenced "would not do any of the things that he stated it would do. That amendment is simply a statement that I support life."

"I always stand with our women on affordable access to contraception," added Ernst, who stood on a seven-inch riser to put her at eye level with her opponent. "That's something that Congressman Braley has been trying to mislead our women voters on. I do believe in a woman's right to contraception."

On Health Care: FactCheck: False claim that ObamaCare cut Medicare benefits

Ernst's low point was "stubbornly pushing the claim that ObamaCare cut Medicare benefits, an argument repeatedly debunked by nonpartisan fact checkers, and her confusion on a question about current 'job-killing' regulations, where she cited cap-and-trade, which is not law," a pundit said.

On Abortion: Personhood amendment is a statement of pro-life principle

Ernst defended her support for a Personhood amendment to the Iowa Constitution. Braley attacked Ernst for supporting the measure in the state legislature, which he said would allow doctors to be prosecuted for terminating pregnancies. That amendment is simply a statement that I support life." She added that she supports "a woman's right to contraception."

On Education: Eliminate Department of Education but keep Pell Grants

On Energy & Oil: Drives hybrid car, but doubts climate change is man-made

On Jobs: Raising the minimum wage would not improve the economy

Instead of responding directly, Ernst said Braley's proposal to raise the minimum wage would not improve the economy. She said her state Senate record shows the right way to boost the economy.

On Social Security: Open to privatizing Social Security, but honor promises

Ernst defended keeping privatization on the table as one option to save Social Security. many options out there. I haven't endorsed one option over another." Braley said privatizing should not be on the table and neither should raising the retirement age.

On Tax Reform: Make tax code fairer, flatter and simpler: but not FairTax

On Energy & Oil: Meeting with Big Oil doesn't make me feel uncomfortable

While ExxonMobil and API oppose the mandate, which requires refiners to mix a set amount of ethanol and other biofuels into the nation's fuel supply, Ernst is quoted in a clip stating the meeting with industry didn't make her "feel uncomfortable."

The ad scolds Ernst for "her big oil backers," which NextGen claims are "trying to gut Iowa renewables."

While the ad blasts Ernst for being against the renewable fuel standard, Steyer has criticized ethanol in the past. In an interview in 2010, Steyer said ethanol was not the way to go. NextGen also has routinely criticized any expansion of fossil fuels, and continued use of them in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

On Crime: Independently investigate sexual crime in military

Ernst tells TIME, "These were some things where I was able to say stop and it simply stopped but there are other circumstances both for women and for men where they don't stop and they may be afraid to report it. Legislation must ensure that sexual crimes in the military are both independently investigated and prosecuted." [The Pentagon opposes independent investigations, requiring that reports go through the military chain of command].

Sexual assault in the military is reaching epidemic proportions, discouraging many women from enlisting. In 2012, of the 26,000 cases of unwanted sexual contact in the military only 3,000 were reported and only 400 went to trial.

On Environment: No more Agenda 21: no United Nations eminent domain

When asked last week about her previous remarks, Ernst had changed her tune, saying, "we have a great legislature here, and I think that we will protect Iowans."

On Tax Reform: Signed Grover Norquist tax pledge: never raise taxes

"The tax breaks that thing protects are gold," one man says in the first ad. "More outsourcing. China, Mexico, all the way." The men later confirm that Ernst "doesn't care about Iowa jobs."

"The ad urges Iowans to demand Ernst take back her pledge to protect special interests and start putting Iowa's families first," NextGen said in a statement.

On Civil Rights: Federal ban ok, but leave same-sex marriage to states

During Thursday's Republican debate, the candidates vying for the GOP nomination were asked for their take on same-sex marriage. "I do believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, and I also believe that this is a state's right. And I have a record of this here in the state of Iowa," she said. "It is up to the people to make that decision, so allow the states to make that decision."

Ernst noted her work on a bill in the Iowa state Senate authorizing a vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state. Ernst was one of the bill's co-sponsors. But despite her support for the right of the people "to make that decision," she said she would back a federal constitutional amendment barring gays and lesbians from getting married. "If it would come up at the federal level, I would support it," she said.

On Drugs: Voted to legalize medical cannabis oil

During the floor debate, several Republicans warned that passing the bill would send the wrong message to teenagers, leading to more recreational use of marijuana. That's hard to fathom, since the bill does not legalize smoking marijuana, even for terminally or chronically ill Iowans who could benefit from medical cannabis in that form.

Key Iowa House Republicans and Governor Terry Branstad have made clear that for now, they would consider only a bill to allow access to medical cannabis oil.

A sign of how far the political ground has shifted in the medical marijuana debate: Joni Ernst is in fiercely competitive GOP primaries for U.S. Senate, and voted for this bill.

On Principles & Values: FactCheck: Missed half of state Senate votes for campaigning

[When asked about the missed votes, Ernst said], "They've included in those votes time I've been serving on orders with Iowa Army National Guard." The interviewer asked whether some of the missed votes were due to campaigning. "Yes, there were," Ernst said. "They were for other scheduled activities, and not knowing what the debate calendar is before they come up."

According to the Iowa National Guard, Ernst was on orders for training or other duty on [12 days this session, but] only two of those days--March 10-11-- overlapped with days the Iowa Senate held votes, accounting for 12 votes (or about 10%) of the 117 missed votes. Excluding the days that overlapped with Ernst's guard duty, she's missed 105 votes, or 57% of the Iowa Senate votes this session.

On Government Reform: AdWatch: I grew up castrating hogs; I know how to cut pork

Joni (in farm gear on a hog farm): "I'm Joni Ernst. I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm, so when I get to Washington, I'll know how to cut pork."

(NARRATOR AND TEXT): "Joni Ernst. Mother. Soldier. Conservative."

Joni: "My parents taught us to live within our means. It's time to force Washington to do the same. To cut wasteful spending; repeal ObamaCare; and balance the budget. I'm Joni Ernst and I approve this message because Washington is full of big spenders; let's make 'em squeal!"

(Fade to black whiles hogs squeal).

On Principles & Values: AdWatch: "Let's make 'em squeal" in Washington

Not only does she remove pig testicles, she smiles talking about it. The gender politics behind the spot--Ernst would join only four other female Republicans in the Senate if she wins--are both bold and hilarious. In a city of broken down men, she tells voters, it will take a woman with a knife to fix things. "Let's make 'em squeal," she announces. And at that point she is no longer talking about pigs, at least not of the livestock type.

On Civil Rights: Endorsed by RightNOW Women PAC to escape "war on women"

Republicans of all stripes have been working to attract more women to their ranks and escape the "war on women" narrative that Democrats successfully used against them in 2012.

On Homeland Security: Military experience always plays role in decision-making

On Jobs: Top priority: Jobs and economy

"Jobs and economy," said State Senator Joni Ernst.

"Balancing the budget," answered former State Attorney Matt Whitaker.

"Grow the economy," said Dr. Sam Clovis.

With an ever growing list of Republican candidates the biggest challenge, right now, may be standing out in a crowded field. "I am a strong conservative and I have a proven record in the Iowa State Senate. Others may say that having a record is a good thing, but in this case I will gladly put up my conservative record," said Ernst.

"I am certainly not the status quo, and I won't rep

On Budget & Economy: I've castrated hogs so I know how to cut pork

That was the first time the live audience reacted vocally. The line was both humorous and insightful.

On Education: No federal involvement in Common Core standards

Whitaker also opposes the Common Core. "The Federal government does not belong in education," Whitaker said. He described the Common Core as a "one-size-fits-all, cram-it-down-your-throat" reform. He said that lawmakers should be focused on school choice instead.

On Health Care: Voted against Medicaid expansion in Iowa

On Tax Reform: Passed the largest tax cut in Iowa history

On Homeland Security: Keep veterans in forefront of all foreign policy decisions

On Principles & Values: Values we grew up with are being threatened now

Joni Ernst remarked that what drives her is a desire to protect Iowa values from federal overreach. "The values that I hold dear, that I grew up with and that I have fought for, for over 20 years are being threatened by the failed policies of this president," Ernst said.