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CORRESPONDENT

Iowa's GOP Sen. Ernst Regains Lead in the Finish

joni ernst brushes her hand to the side during a senate hearing
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa (Shawn Thew/Getty Images)

John Gizzi By Saturday, 31 October 2020 03:26 PM EDT Current | Bio | Archive

With roughly 48 hours before Iowans go to the polls, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has regained the momentum and leads Democrat Theresa Greenfield in the twilight days of the race.

According to a Quinnipiac Poll completed Thursday, Ernst leads Des Moines businesswoman Greenfield by 48% to 46% among likely voters statewide.

The figures were somewhat startling to leaders of both parties in the Hawkeye State. Greenfield has been leading in virtually every poll for the past two months and Quinnipiac itself, in its last poll Oct. 7, showed the Democrat hopeful leading Ernst 50% to 45%.

Former Polk County (Des Moines) GOP Chairman Kim Schmett agrees the final momentum is with Ernst.

"Joni hit the ground running when she returned to Iowa after confirming [Supreme Court] Justice [Amy Coney] Barrett," Schmett told Newsmax. "She has been on a high energy bus tour accompanied by [Iowa's senior Republican Sen.] Chuck Grassley and on occasion Gov.  [Kim] Reynolds. It's been interrupted by Iowa visits from President Trump, who drew 10,000-plus attendees on the tarmac and [Friday] with Vice President Pence who profusely praised her."

Schmett strongly believes "the conservative base is highly motivated – although the same can probably be said for the anti-Trump base. Joni is taking the campaign out to her supporters, reminding them of the Joni they elected six years ago, and it's having results. It is very close,  but I believe she holds a narrow lead.

"The negative Greenfield ads appear to have slightly tarnished the sweet Iowa girl image Greenfield had initially promoted. It may be enough to re-elect Ernst."

Quinnipiac also found President Donald Trump had pulled ahead of Joe Biden 47% to 46%, compared to a 50%-45% advantage for Biden in the Oct. 7 poll.

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.

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John-Gizzi
With roughly 48 hours before Iowans go to the polls, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has regained the momentum and leads Democrat Theresa Greenfield in the twilight days of the race.
joni ernst, iowa, senate, gop, theresa greenfield
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2020-26-31
Saturday, 31 October 2020 03:26 PM
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