Staff report
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spent part of his July 4th with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, fueling speculation about his vice presidential pick.
Trump met with Ernst, a Red Oak Republican and the first woman from Iowa elected to Congress, in New Jersey on Monday and praised her in a tweet.
“I look forward to meeting @joniernst today in New Jersey. She has done a great job as Senator of Iowa!”
Trump followed that up with: “It was great spending time with @joniernst yesterday. She has done a fantastic job for the people of Iowa and U.S. Will see her again!”
Trump also spent time over the weekend with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
In addition, the New York billionaire is considering former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions.
In a statement, Ernst said she had a good conversation with Trump but did not say whether the vice presidency was discussed.
“I had a good conversation with Donald Trump today, and we discussed what I am hearing from Iowans as I travel around the state on my 99-county tour, and the best path forward for our country,” Ernst said in a statement. “I will continue to share my insights with Donald about the need to strengthen our economy, keep our nation safe and ensure America is always a strong, stabilizing force around the globe.”
One of Ernst’s more visible supporters reacted positively to the Trump meeting.
“I think she’s been a very effective senator,” said state Rep. Brian Best, R-Glidden. “I’d be surprised and also excited having somebody in there that understands rural America.”
The Jefferson Herald on Jan. 8 asked Ernst, as part of a wide-ranging interview on a raft of topics, about the possibility of her being on a vice presidential selection list.
“That’s really nice of you,” Ernst said at the time. “I think my mother would be really excited to hear you say that. But right now, I’ve just spent one year in the United States Senate, and I feel that I have been an influential member in the Senate, given that I’m a first-year freshman.”
Ernst said then that should any opportunities present themselves, she’d first think about her responsibilities to Iowans.