Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has endorsed Iowa Senate candidate Joni Ernst, citing her long and honorable military service record in the Army National Guard,
USA Today reports.
"Joni Ernst has dedicated her life to the service of others, bravely leading troops in Iraq and safely bringing them home to Iowa," Rice praised in a statement Wednesday. "We need more leaders, like Joni, who understand America’s role abroad and the threat posed against us."
Ernst, a lieutenant colonel, has spent 20 years in the Guard, serving a tour of duty with her unit in Kuwait. Rice's endorsement comes as another former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, stumps for Ernst's opponent, Democrat U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley.
The candidates are fighting a tough battle as the balance of the Senate is on the line.
The endorsement is notable as Rice rarely steps into races on behalf of candidates,
The Washington Post said, calling it "rare show of direct support." It follows on ads Rice cut on behalf of Republican Dan Sullivan, who is in a tough Alaska Senate race against Democrat Mark Begich.
The latest Quinnipiac poll, taken Oct. 23, shows Ernst, a state senator, pulling away from Braley slightly, leading by four points,
Hot Air reported.
"As Election Day nears, state Sen. Joni Ernst is closing in on Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat. Her lead over U.S. Rep. Brue Braley inches up to 49 percent to 45 percent, giving her the momentum with less than a week left in the campaign," said the the
Quinnipiac Poll's Assistant Director Peter A. Brown in a release announcing the latest results.
"Nothing is for sure, but one would certainly rather be in her shoes this morning than Braley's," he said. "One piece of good news for the Democrat is that he has a 21-point lead among those who already have voted."
Brown added: "Ernst's lead is built upon a 9-point lead among independent voters and a larger lead among men than Braley is able to muster among women. And, in what was a strongly negative campaign, she emerged from the mud-slinging with voters liking her a bit more, usually an advantage that tends to translate into votes."
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