Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is enjoying a meteoric rise.

Just weeks removed from being a first-term state senator, shes

now preparing to give the GOPs response to President Obamas
State of the Union address.
Its the first time a newly sworn-in senator will deliver the
Republican remarks, but GOP leaders have good reasons for
tapping the fast-rising star.
The motorcycle-riding, gun-toting, self-described farm girl is also
the first female combat veteran to ever serve in the Senate and
the first woman to ever win a race for federal office in Iowa. Shes
guaranteed to be a power player heading into the 2016
presidential race as an influential voice in the swing state, and a
potential kingmaker in the states influential caucuses.
National Republicans are singing Ernsts praises as she prepares
to go combat boot to toe with Obama. And with an eye on 2016,
they point out her presence as a blue-collar former soldier and
farmer sets up well as a counterweight to Hillary Clinton.
Sen. Ernst offers a pull yourself up from your bootstraps, selfreliant background that is in direct contrast to the governmentcentric policies that will be offered by the president, and a
compelling counterweight to the female frontrunner of the
Democratic Party, said GOP pollster Kellyanne Conway.
Compelling messengers make for persuasive messages. Sen.
Ernst is the genuine article. The War on Women is out; the War
for Women is in.
Ernst is part of a new class of female Republicans entering
Congress that leaders are looking to promote.
She's a great new face for the party, said Rep. Barbara
Comstock (R-Va.), a longtime behind-the-scenes GOP power player
who joined Ernst as a new member of Congress earlier this month.

She's a great leader for us, as a veteran, as a hard-working

taxpayer who knows what people are going through, coming from
the Midwest.
Ernst impressed many with her dominant electoral performance
last year. Beginning the race as a little-known state legislator, she
cruised through a five-way primary, uniting an often-fractious
Republican base and ultimately crushing Rep. Bruce Braley (DIowa) in the general election.
Her make em squeal ad, where she joked about cutting
congressional pork like she used to castrate hogs, was the most
memorable of the election cycle.
She's the full-spectrum conservative that has eluded us in a lot of
races and her genuineness and Iowan hospitality made her a great
candidate and make her a great senator. I don't think anyone is
surprised that leadership thought she'd be a great voice for
Republicans in countering the president's state of the union
address, said Tim Albrecht, an Iowa-based strategist close to
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) who did some work on Ernsts
campaign.
She's not seeking this national profile. The national profile is
seeking her because she's so refreshing, he added.
Strategists point out that Ernst enjoyed quiet backing from
Branstad that helped her in the primary and that Braley was a
fatally flawed candidate in a terrible year for Democrats. But even
her biggest detractors admit she ran a terrific race and tip their
hats to her personal charm.
She's a great human being, she's a really good person and I
really admire her because she's such a quality individual, said
Sam Clovis, an influential Iowa conservative and one of the men
Ernst defeated in the primary. I think it's great they've picked her

[for the GOP response] She's a rising star, she's got all the
things you want on television and she'll do a good job.
Ernst said she was truly honored to be picked to give the speech
and hinted that shed weave in her personal background while
focusing on foreign policy, veterans issues and the economy.
During this Congress, we must help grow a vibrant economy, see
to it that our veterans receive promised quality care and that our
military has the tools to defend our nation's security, and ensure
the federal government begins to run more effectively and
efficiently, she said in a statement to The Hill.
The freshman senator is already asserting herself as a major Iowa
GOP power player as she looks to entrench herself in the pivotal
swing state. Shes launching a 99-county annual tour of the state
this weekend a schedule mirrored on one two of her mentors,
Branstad and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), have followed
assiduously for years.
Her first annual Roast and Ride fundraiser in June will
undoubtedly be a draw for presidential contenders. And while
shes pledged to remain neutral in the Iowa caucuses, she will be
closely watched in the race and could be an important surrogate
as eventual GOP nominee tries to win the state in November.
She will be one of the most important people in Iowa heading
into next year's caucus and general election for President. All
serious Republican candidates will seek her advice and
endorsement, predicted Conway.