United States Senate election in Iowa, 2014

United States Senate election in Iowa, 2014

November 4, 2014

Nominee Joni Ernst Bruce Braley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 588,575 494,370 Percentage 52.1% 43.8%

County results

U.S. Senator before election Tom Harkin Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Joni Ernst Republican

The 2014 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Democratic Senator Tom Harkin did not run for re-election to a sixth term in office.^[1]

U.S. Representative Bruce Braley was unopposed for the Democratic nomination; the Republicans nominated State Senator Joni Ernst in a June 3 primary election.^[2] Douglas Butzier, who was the Libertarian nominee, died on October 14 in a single engine plane crash near Key West, Iowa. He was the pilot and the only person aboard the plane.^[3][4][5][6] He still appeared on the ballot, alongside Independents Bob Quast, Ruth Smith and Rick Stewart.

Democratic primary

Bruce Braley ultimately faced no opposition in his primary campaign and became the Democratic nominee on June 3, 2014.^[7]

Candidates

Declared

• Bruce Braley, U.S. Representative^[8]

Withdrew

• Bob Quast, businessman (running as an Independent)^[9]

Declined

• Chet Culver, former Governor of Iowa^[10]
• Jeff Danielson, State Senator^[11]
• Tom Harkin, incumbent U.S. Senator^[1]
• Dave Loebsack, U.S. Representative^[12]
• Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader of the Iowa House of Representatives^[13]
• Christie Vilsack, former First Lady of Iowa and nominee for Iowa's 4th congressional district in 2012^[14]
• Tom Vilsack, United States Secretary of Agriculture and former Governor of Iowa^[15]

Endorsements

Bruce Braley

Federal Politicians Leonard Boswell, former U.S. Representative (D-IA)[16] Tom Harkin, incumbent U.S. Senator (D-IA)[17] Dave Loebsack, U.S. Representative (D-IA)[16] Statewide Politicians Chet Culver, former Governor of Iowa[10] Michael Fitzgerald, Iowa State Treasurer[17] Tom Miller, Iowa Attorney General[17] State Legislators Ako Abdul-Samad, State Representative[18] Marti Anderson, State Representative[18] Daryl Beall, State Senator[18] Bruce Bearinger, State Representative[18] Deborah Berry, State Representative[18] Dennis Black, State Senator[18] Joe Bolkcom, State Senator[18] Tod Bowman, State Senator[18] Chris Brase, State Senator[18] Dennis Cohoon, State Representative[18] Thomas G. Courtney, State Senator[18] Jeff Danielson, State Senator[18] David Dawson, State Representative[18] Dick Dearden, State Senator[18] Bill Dotzler, State Senator[18] Nancy Dunkel, State Representative[18] Robert Dvorsky, State Senator[18] John Forbes, State Representative[18] Ruth Ann Gaines, State Representative[18] Mary Gaskill, State Representative[18] Michael Gronstal, Majority Leader of the Iowa Senate and Chairman of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee[18] Chris Hall, State Representative[18] Curtis Hanson, State Representative[18] Rita Hart, State Senator[18] Jack Hatch, State Senator[18] Lisa Heddens, State Representative[18] Rob Hogg, State Senator[18] Wally Horn, State Senator[18] Bruce Hunter, State Representative[18] Charles Isenhart, State Representative[18] David Jacoby, State Representative[18] Pam Jochum, President of the Iowa Senate[18] Anesa Kajtazovic, State Representative[18] Jerry Kearns, State Representative[18] Dan Kelley, State Representative[18] Bob Kressig, State Representative[18] Vicki Lensing, State Representative[18] Daniel Lundby, State Representative[18] Jim Lykam, State Representative[18] Mary Mascher, State Representative[18] Liz Mathis, State Senator[18] Matt McCoy, State Senator[18] Helen Miller, State Representative[18] Dan Muhlbauer, State Representative[18] Jo Oldson, State Representative[18] Rick Olson, State Representative[18] Tyler Olson, State Representative[18] Scott Ourth, State Representative[18] Janet Petersen, State Senator[18] Todd Prichard, State Representative[18] Herman Quirmbach, State Senator[18] Amanda Ragan, State Senator[18] Joe Riding, State Representative[18] Patti Ruff, State Representative[18] Kirsten Running-Marquardt, State Representative[18] Brian Schoenjahn, State Senator[18] Joe Seng, State Senator[18] Mark Smith, State Representative[18] Steve Sodders, President Pro Tempore of the Iowa Senate[18] Art Staed, State Representative[18] Sharon S. Steckman, State Representative[18] Sally Stutsman, State Representative[18] Rich Taylor, State Senator[18] Todd Taylor, State Representative[18] Phyllis Thede, State Representative[18] Roger Thomas, State Representative[18] Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, State Representative[18] Mary Jo Wilhelm, State Senator[18] Cindy Winckler, State Representative[18] Mary Wolfe, State Representative[18] Frank Wood, State Representative[18]

Polling

Results

Democratic primary results[19]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bruce Braley	62,623	99.2
	Democratic	Write-ins	504	0.8
Total votes			63,127	100

Republican primary

The Republican primary was held on June 3, 2014. If no candidate won more than 35% of the vote, the nominee would have been chosen at a statewide convention. It would have been only the second time in 50 years that a convention picked a nominee and the first time since 2002, when then-State Senator Steve King won a convention held in Iowa's 5th congressional district to decide the Republican nominee for Congress. Having the nominee chosen by a convention led to fears that the increasingly powerful Ron Paul faction of the state party, led by Party Chairman A. J. Spiker, could have nominated an unelectable candidate.^[20][21]

The convention was scheduled to be held on June 14 but was then moved July 12. Republican leaders, including Governor Terry Branstad and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, as well as four of the candidates for the nomination, criticized the move. Candidates Sam Clovis, Joni Ernst, Matthew Whitaker and David Young signed a letter to the Republican Party of Iowa asking them to move the convention date back, saying that "Essentially gifting [Bruce] Braley an additional 30 days to campaign in a vacuum, while reducing our nominee's time to raise funds and campaign as the general election candidate by an entire month – only serves to strengthen Braley’s viability". Spiker responded that the move was necessary to accommodate the 27-day period that the Iowa Secretary of State's office requires to certify the results of the primary.^[22] Spiker reiterated his position in September 2013, rejecting calls for a vote by the central committee to move the convention date. He said that nominating a candidate before the primary had been certified would break state law, "which outlines that a ballot vacancy does not exist until the canvass is completed and certified."^[23]

Secretary of State Matt Schultz was highly critical of Spiker, saying that "no political party should use the excuse of the final date of the statewide canvass to determine the date of its special nominating convention. Furthermore, to state that it is necessary to hold a special nominating convention after the conclusion of the state canvass is not only misleading, it is false."^[24] Following efforts by members of the central committee to call a special meeting to move the date back to June, Spiker agreed and a meeting was held on September 23.^[25] The central committee voted 16-1 to move the convention date back to June 14.^[26] Statewide Republican leaders and activists and members of the National Republican Senatorial Committee believe that the real reason for the attempt to delay the convention was to give the Ron Paul faction time to organize an insurgent effort to push through a candidate they support, which could have even be Spiker himself or State Party Co-chair David Fischer.^[21] The infighting has been traced back to the failure of the NRSC and allies of Governor Branstad and Senator Grassley to recruit a "top-tier" candidate for the race.^[21]

Ernst received widespread attention for a campaign ad she released in March 2014 where she employed a tongue-in-cheek comparison between her experience castrating pigs and her ability to cut "pork" in Congress.^[27][28] Many found the ad to be humorous^[29][30] and it was spoofed by late-night comedians including Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert,^[31][32] while some found it to be in bad taste.^[33][34] Before the ad aired, Ernst had struggled in fundraising,^[35][36] and two polls of the Republican primary taken in February 2014 had shown her in second place, several points behind opponent Mark Jacobs.^[37][38] After it aired, a Suffolk University poll in early April showed her with a narrow lead and a Loras College poll showed her essentially tied with Jacobs.^{[34][39][40][41]} By May, she was being described by the media as the "strong front-runner".^[42]

In May 2014, Roll Call reported that the Republican primary campaign had become a proxy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, with Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio supporting Ernst, Rick Perry endorsing Whitaker and Rick Santorum backing Clovis.^[43] Jacobs, who had no such high-profile endorsements, ran as the "outsider".^[44]

Ultimately, Ernst won the primary with 56% of the vote, negating the need for a convention.

Candidates

Declared

• Sam Clovis, radio host^[45]
• Joni Ernst, State Senator^[46]
• Mark Jacobs, former CEO of Reliant Energy^[47]
• Scott Schaben, businessman^[48]
• Matthew Whitaker, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and nominee for Treasurer of Iowa in 2002^[49]

Withdrew

• Paul Lunde, attorney and nominee for Iowa's 4th congressional district in 1988 and 1992^[50]
• David Young, former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (running for Iowa's 3rd congressional district)^[51]

Declined

• Terry Branstad, Governor of Iowa^[52]
• Bob Brownell, Polk County Supervisor^[53]
• Steve Deace, radio talk show host^[54]
• Bill Dix, Minority Leader of the Iowa Senate^[55]
• David Fischer, Co-chair of the Republican Party of Iowa^[56]
• Steve Gaer, Mayor of West Des Moines^[57]
• Drew Ivers, Finance Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa^[58]
• Steve King, U.S. Representative^[59]
• Ron Langston, businessman and former Director of the Minority Business Development Agency^[57]
• Tom Latham, U.S. Representative^[60]
• Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture^[61]
• Kevin O'Brien, McDonald's store owner and operator^[57]
• Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa^[62]
• Rod Roberts, Director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and candidate for Governor in 2010^[63]
• Matt Schultz, Iowa Secretary of State^[64]
• A. J. Spiker, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa^[65]
• Matt Strawn, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa^[53]
• Bob Vander Plaats, social conservative activist, candidate for Governor in 2002, 2006 and 2010 and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2006^[66]
• David A. Vaudt, Chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and former State Auditor of Iowa^[46]
• Stuart Weinstein, orthopaedic surgeon, President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons^[57]
• Brad Zaun, State Senator^[67]

Endorsements

Sam Clovis

Individuals Terry Amann, Pastor at Walnut Creek Church[68] Dorie Day, widow of Colonel Bud Day[69] Steve Deace, radio talk show host[70] Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative (TX-01)[71] Rick Santorum, former U.S. Representative and former U.S. Senator (R-PA) and candidate for President in 2012[72] Phyllis Schlafly, conservative activist and founder of the Eagle Forum[73] Bob Vander Plaats, social conservative activist, candidate for Governor in 2002, 2006 and 2010 and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2006[74] Organizations Citizens United[73] Eagle Forum[73] Gun Owners of America[75] Tea Party Patriots[76]

Joni Ernst

National Figures Deb Fischer, U.S. Senator (R-NE)[77] Sarah Palin, former Alaska Governor, 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential candidate[78] Michael Reagan, son of Ronald Reagan[79] Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts and 2012 Republican presidential nominee[80] Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator (R-FL)[81] Kay Orr, former Governor of Nebraska[77] Statewide Politicians Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa[82] State Legislators Rich Anderson, former State Representative[83] Robert Bacon, State Representative[84] Clel Baudler, State Representative[85] Nancy Boettger, State Senator[86] Mark Brandenburg, State Representative[80] Mark Costello, State Representative[87] Cecil Dolecheck, State Representative[88] Dean Fisher, State Representative[89] Shawn Hamerlinck, former State Senator[90] Megan Hess, State Representative[91] Hubert Houser, State Senator[92] David Johnson, State Senator[93] Tim Kapucian, State Senator[94] Renee Schulte, former State Representative[95] Amy Sinclair, State Senator[96] Rob Taylor, State Representative[97] Dan Zumbach, State Senator[98] Local Officials Chad Airhart, Dallas County Recorder[99] Jon McAvoy, Adel City Councilman[100] Isaiah McGee, Waukee City Councilman[101] Carol Robertson, Mills County Auditor[102] Renee Twedt, Story County Treasurer[103] Organizations Right Now Women PAC[104] Senate Conservatives Fund[105] ShePAC[106] United States Chamber of Commerce[107] VOICES of Conservative Women[108]

Mark Jacobs
Individuals Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture[109]

Matt Whitaker

Brad Banks, former Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback[110] Robert Brownell, Polk County Supervisor[111] Scott Cirksena, Mayor of Clive[111] Creighton Cox, Urbandale City Councilman[111] Greg Ganske, former U.S. Representative[111] Bill Gustoff, Republican State Central Committee Member[111] Chris Hagenow, State Representative[111] Kevin Koester, State Representative[111] Matt Mead, Governor of Wyoming[111] John Mickelson, West Des Moines City Councilman[111] Rick Perry, Governor of Texas and candidate for President in 2008[111] Jim Peters, Mayor of Adel[111] Ralph Watts, State Representative[111] Jack Whitver, State Senator[111]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Sam Clovis	Joni Ernst	Mark Jacobs	Paul Lunde	Scott Schaben	Matt Whitaker	Other	Undecided
Des Moines Register	May 27–30, 2014	400	± 4.9%	11%	36%	18%	—	2%	13%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling	May 15–19, 2014	303	± ?	14%	34%	18%	2%	1%	6%	—	26%
Loras College	May 12–13, 2014	600	± 4%	9.5%	30.8%	19.3%	—	2.3%	7.3%	—	30.7%
Harper Polling^	April 30–May 1, 2014	500	± 4.38%	14%	33%	23%	—	1%	3%	—	26%
The Polling Company	April 13–14, 2014	223	± 4%	5.8%	22.5%	20.4%	0.4%	2.1%	6.7%	—	42.1%
Loras College	April 7–8, 2014	600	± 4%	7.3%	18.1%	18.8%	—	3.5%	4%	—	48.2%
Suffolk University	April 3–8, 2014	224	± 6.55%	6.7%	25%	22.77%	—	1.34%	4.02%	—	40.18%
Public Policy Polling	February 20–23, 2014	283	± 5.8%	8%	13%	20%	3%	3%	11%	—	42%
Hill Research Consultants*	February 12–13, 2014	300	± 4%	6%	11%	22%	—	—	8%	3%	50%

• ^ Internal poll for Joni Ernst campaign
• * Internal poll for Mark Jacobs campaign

Results

Republican primary results[19]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joni Ernst	88,692	56.12
	Republican	Sam Clovis	28,434	17.99
	Republican	Mark Jacobs	26,582	16.82
	Republican	Matthew Whitaker	11,909	7.54
	Republican	Scott Schaben	2,270	1.44
	Republican	Write-ins	144	0.09
Total votes			158,031	100

General election

Debates

On August 29, Ernst and Braley announced their agreement to hold three televised debates in Davenport, Des Moines, and Sioux City, the first debate on September 28, the second on October 11, and the last on October 16.^[112]

Fundraising

Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on Hand
Bruce Braley (D)	$9,918,362	$10,069,945	$707,302
Joni Ernst (R)	$9,206,690	$7,660,912	$2,244,366

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bruce Braley (D)	Joni Ernst (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 1–3, 2014	1,265	± 2.8%	45%	48%	2%[113]	5%
				46%	49%	—	5%
Quinnipiac University	October 28–November 2, 2014	778	± 3.5%	47%	47%	2%	4%
Public Policy Polling	October 30–31, 2014	617	± ?	47%	48%	—	5%
Iowa Poll	October 28–31, 2014	701	± 3.7%	44%	51%	1%	4%
YouGov	October 25–31, 2014	1,112	± 4.4%	43%	42%	3%	13%
Fox News	October 28–30, 2014	911	± 3%	44%	45%	4%	8%
Rasmussen Reports	October 28–30, 2014	990	± 3%	47%	48%	3%	3%
CNN/ORC	October 27–30, 2014	647 LV	± 4%	47%	49%	—	4%
		887 RV	± 3.5%	49%	43%	—	7%
Reuters/Ipsos	October 23–29, 2014	1,129	± 3.3%	45%	45%	4%	7%
Quinnipiac	October 22–27, 2014	817	± 3.4%	45%	49%	2%	5%
Loras College	October 21–24, 2014	1,121	± 2.93%	45.3%	44.2%	2.3%	8.2%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	October 16–23, 2014	2,322	± 3%	44%	44%	1%	11%
NBC News/Marist	October 18–22, 2014	772 LV	± 3.5%	46%	49%	1%	4%
		1,052 RV	± 3%	46%	46%	2%	6%
Gravis Marketing	October 20–21, 2014	964	± 3%	43%	49%	—	8%
Monmouth University	October 18–21, 2014	423	± 4.8%	46%	47%	5%	2%
Quinnipiac University	October 15–21, 2014	964	± 3.2%	46%	48%	3%	4%
Public Policy Polling	October 15–16, 2014	714	± ?%	48%	47%	—	5%
Suffolk University	October 11–14, 2014	500	± 4.4%	43.2%	47%	2.4%[114]	7.4%
Quinnipiac University	October 8–13, 2014	967	± 3.2%	45%	47%	3%	5%
Rasmussen Reports	October 8–10, 2014	957	± 3%	45%	48%	1%	5%
Iowa Poll	October 3–8, 2014	1,000	± 3.1%	46%	47%	3%	4%
Morey Group	October 4–7, 2014	1,000	± 3.1%	39.3%	37.9%	1.6%	21.2%
Magellan	October 3, 2014	1,299	± 2.8%	40.8%	50%	—	9.2%
Loras College	October 1–3, 2014	600	± 4%	42.1%	42.4%	3.7%	11.8%
NBC News/Marist	September 27–October 1, 2014	778 LV	± 3.5%	44%	46%	1%	9%
		1,093 RV	± 3%	45%	44%	1%	11%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner	September 25–October 1, 2014	1,000	± 2.09%	44%	45%	11%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	September 20–October 1, 2014	2,359	± 2%	44%	43%	1%	12%
Gravis Marketing	September 29–30, 2014	522	± 4%	41%	50%	—	10%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner	September 25–30, 2014	800	± 3.46%	47%	46%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling	September 25–28, 2014	1,192	± 2.8%	42%	44%	4%[115]	10%
				43%	45%	—	12%
Harstad Research	September 21–25, 2014	809	± ?	42%	42%	—	16%
Iowa Poll	September 21–24, 2014	546	± 4.2%	38%	44%	6%[116]	12%
Rasmussen Reports	September 17–18, 2014	750	± 4%	43%	43%	4%	14%
Fox News	September 14–16, 2014	600	± 4%	41%	41%	6%	12%
Quinnipiac University	September 10–15, 2014	1,167	± 2.9%	44%	50%	1%	4%
CNN/ORC	September 8–10, 2014	608 LV	± 4%	49%	48%	1%	2%
		904 RV	± 3.5%	50%	42%	—	7%
Loras College	September 2–5, 2014	1,200	± 2.82%	45.3%	40.5%	—	14.2%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	August 18–September 2, 2014	1,764	± 3%	44%	42%	2%	13%
Public Policy Polling	August 28–30, 2014	816	± 3.4%	43%	45%	—	12%
Suffolk	August 23–26, 2014	500	± 4%	40.2%	40%	4.8%[117]	15%
Public Policy Polling	August 22–24, 2014	915	± 3.2%	41%	40%	5%[118]	14%
				42%	42%	—	16%
Rasmussen Reports	August 11–12, 2014	750	± 4%	43%	43%	6%	8%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	July 5–24, 2014	2,056	± 2.7%	45%	46%	2%	8%
Gravis Marketing	July 17–18, 2014	1,179	± 3%	44%	43%	—	13%
NBC News/Marist	July 7–13, 2014	1,599	± 2.5%	43%	43%	1%	14%
Quinnipiac University	June 12–16, 2014	1,277	± 2.7%	44%	40%	—	16%
Vox Populi Polling	June 4–5, 2014	665	± 3.8%	44%	49%	—	7%
Loras College	June 4–5, 2014	600	± 4%	41.7%	48%	—	10.3%
Rasmussen Reports	June 4–5, 2014	750	± 4%	44%	45%	3%	9%
Public Policy Polling	May 15–19, 2014	914	± 3.3%	45%	39%	—	16%
Hickman Analytics	April 24–30	500	± 4.4%	44%	40%	—	16%
Suffolk University	April 3–8, 2014	800	± 3.5%	37.63%	29.75%	—	32.63%
Rasmussen Reports	March 24–25, 2014	750	± 4%	40%	37%	—	23%
Quinnipiac University	March 5–10, 2014	1,411	± 2.6%	42%	29%	1%	27%
Public Policy Polling	February 20–23, 2014	869	± 3.3%	41%	35%	—	23%
Quinnipiac University	December 10–15, 2013	1,617	± 2.4%	44%	38%	1%	17%
Harper Polling	November 23–24, 2013	985	± 3.12%	41.91%	35.96%	—	22.12%
Public Policy Polling	July 5–7, 2013	668	± 3.8%	45%	33%	—	22%

Results

2014 Iowa U.S. Senator general election[119]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Joni Ernst	588,575	52.1	+14.84
	Democratic	Bruce Braley	494,370	43.8	-18.86
	Independent	Rick Stewart	26,815	2.4	+2.4
	Libertarian	Douglas Butzier	8,232	0.7	+0.7
	Independent	Bob Quast	5,873	0.5	+0.5
	Independent	Ruth Smith	4,724	0.4	+0.4
	Other	Write-Ins	1,111	0.1	+0.02
Majority			94,205	8.3
Turnout			1,129,700
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

See also

• United States Senate elections, 2014
• United States elections, 2014

References

1. Ed O’Keefe (January 26, 2013). "Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) won’t seek reelection". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
2. "Joni Ernst Wins GOP Primary In Iowa Senate Race". Huffington Post. June 3, 2014.
3. "Wife confirms man killed in plane crash is Senate candidate". kcci.com. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
4. "US Senate Candidate Killed in Eastern Iowa Plane Crash". whotv.com. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
5. "Pilot Killed In Eastern Iowa Plane Crash". woitv.com. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
6. "Dr. Doug Butzier website for Iowa Senate Race (2014)". 13 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
7. "Bruce Braley Wins Democratic Primary In Iowa Senate Race". Huffington Post. Jun 3, 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
8. Blake, Aaron (February 7, 2013). "Iowa Rep. Bruce Braley to run for Senate". The Fix. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
9. Jacobs, Jennifer (March 14, 2014). "Candidates for federal, statewide offices". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
10. "Braley wins endorsement of ex-Gov. Chet Culver". Newton Daily News. July 2, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
11. Jacobs, Jennifer (June 4, 2013). "Waterloo Democrat Jeff Danielson won't run for higher office". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
12. Tibbetts, Ed (January 29, 2013). "Loesback won't seek U.S. Senate seat". Globe Gazette. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
13. Petroski, William (January 28, 2013). "Iowa House Democratic Leader McCarthy "absolutely" won't seek higher office". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
14. Jacobs, Jennifer (February 7, 2013). "Tom Vilsack is Iowans' Senate pick". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
15. Jacobs, Jennifer (15 February 2013). "BREAKING: Vilsack will not seek U.S. Senate seat in 2014". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
16. "IA-Sen: Loebsack endorses Braley (updated with Boswell)". Bleeding Heartland. February 16, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
17. "Harkin endorses Braley for U.S. Senate". The Gazette. April 21, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
18. "IA-Sen: Most Democratic state legislators endorse Braley". Bleeding Heartland. April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
19. Iowa Election Results
20. Cahn, Emily (5 July 2013). "Rare Convention Presents Hurdle in Iowa Senate Race". Roll Call. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
21. Goldmacher, Shane (23 September 2013). "Iowa GOP Infighting Could Cost a Senate Seat". National Journal. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
22. Jason Noble; Jennifer Jacobs (26 August 2013). "Branstad says switching GOP convention date is ‘a real mistake’". Roll Call. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
23. Jason Noble; Jennifer Jacobs (12 September 2013). "GOP chair’s commitment to July convention prompts call for his resignation". Roll Call. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
24. Jason Noble (13 September 2013). "Iowa GOP will hold meeting Sept. 23 to review state convention date". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
25. Jennifer Jacobs (21 September 2013). "Resolution could be near in dispute over Iowa GOP convention date". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
26. Jennifer Jacobs (24 September 2013). "GOP reverses course on convention dates". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
27. "Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred". Time. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
28. "In Politics, Hog Castration Cuts Through The Ad Clutter". NPR. March 28, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
29. "Iowa Senate Candidate Says Castration Gives Her Conservative Cred". Time. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
30. "How did John Boehner's opponent get his campaign ad to go viral? Humor. (+video)". Christian Science Monitor. April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
31. "Jimmy Fallon cringes at Joni Ernst's hog-castration ad". Des Moines Register. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
32. "Colbert: I'm pulling for Joni Ernst 'whole hog, or whatever's left'". Des Moines Register. March 27, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
33. "Joni Ernst 'Castrating Hogs' Ad: Republican Iowa Senate Candidate Stirs Controversy With Offbeat Campaign Spot [VIDEO]". International Business Times. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
34. "How Joni Ernst’s ad about ‘castrating hogs’ transformed Iowa’s U.S. Senate race". The Washington Post. May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
35. "Sarah Palin endorses "hog castrator" Jodi Ernst in Iowa Senate race". CBS News. March 26, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
36. "The Fix’s fourth-quarter fundraising winners and losers". CBS News. February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
37. "Sarah Palin endorses ‘pork-cutting’ Joni Ernst in Iowa". Politico. March 26, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
38. "Ernst Aims to Be Iowa's First Female Senator". RealClearPolitics. March 9, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
39. "Ernst Narrowly Leads GOP Field in Iowa Senate Race". RealClearPolitics. April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
40. "Poll: Joni Ernst Takes Lead in Iowa GOP Senate Primary". Weekly Standard. April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
41. "Jacobs, Ernst tied in inaugural Loras Poll". TH Online. April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
42. James Hohmann (May 29, 2014). "Joni Ernst focused on primary in final Iowa debate". Politico. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
43. Alexis Levinson (31 May 2014). "Iowa Senate Primary Becomes 2016 Battleground". Roll Call. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
44. Alexis Levinson (28 May 2014). "Ad Deluge Intensifies in Final Week Before Iowa Senate Primary". Roll Call. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
45. Jacobs, Jennifer (10 June 2013). "Sioux City radio host Sam Clovis joins U.S. Senate race". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
46. Jacobs, Jennifer (10 July 2013). "Republican Joni Ernst joins U.S. Senate race". Retrieved 11 July 2013.
47. Emily Cahn (November 13, 2013). "Iowa’s GOP Senate Field Grows Again". Retrieved November 13, 2013.
48. Burns, Douglas (5 July 2013). "Kuemper alum Schaben plans U.S. Senate bid". Daily Times Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
49. Trygstad, Kyle (May 7, 2013). "GOP Senate Candidate Announces in Iowa". Roll Call. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
50. Jacobs, Jennifer (6 May 2013). "GOP’s Matt Whitaker says he’s running for U.S. Senate". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
51. Noble, Jason (January 2, 2014). "U.S. Senate candidate David Young changes gears, will run for Congress instead". Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
52. Boshart, Rod (January 28, 2013). "Branstad not interested in Harkin’s seat; Reynolds keeping options open". Globe Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
53. Jacobs, Jennifer (January 26, 2013). "Who among Republicans may eye Harkin's Senate seat?". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
54. Deace, Steve (July 18, 2013). "The U.S. Senate race in Iowa". SteveDeace.com. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
55. "Iowa Senate GOP leader Dix won’t run for U.S. Senate or Congress in 2014 | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs". Blogs.desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
56. Fischer, David (December 7, 2013). "After much consideration...". Twitter. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
57. Jacobs, Jennifer (16 May 2013). "Potential Republican candidate drops from Senate race". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
58. Hohmann, James (January 26, 2013). "Harkin retirement: Jump ball in Iowa". Politico. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
59. Goddard, Taegan (3 May 2013). "King Passes on Senate Run". Political Wire. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
60. "Latham tells Iowa Republicans he isn’t running for U.S. Senate in 2014". Blogs.desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
61. Trygstad, Kyle (2 May 2013). "Bill Northey Passes on Iowa Race #IASEN". Roll Call. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
62. Jaffe, Alexandra (23 April 2013). "Report: Reynolds not running for Senate in Iowa". The Hill. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
63. "IA-Sen: Rod Roberts rules out running". Bleeding Heartland. February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
64. "Iowa Secretary of State passes up Senate bid". Sioux City Journal. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
65. Tibbetts, Ed (2013-01-26). "Harkin won't seek another Senate term". Globegazette.com. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
66. Jacobs, Jennifer (February 15, 2014). "Register Exclusive: Bob Vander Plaats will not run for Senate". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
67. "IA Sen- Brad Zaun Not Running". Bleeding Heartland. March 11, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
68. "Pastor Terry Amann Endorses Sam Clovis". Iowans for Sam Clovis for Senate. April 7, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
69. "Dorie Day Press Release". Iowans for Sam Clovis for Senate. April 7, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
70. Deace, Steve (May 12, 2014). "Sam Clovis for U.S. Senate". SteveDeace.com. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
71. "Congressman Louie Gohmert to Rally Support for Clovis This Friday in Des Moines". The Iowa Republican. April 29, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
72. "Santorum Endorses True Conservative Clovis for U.S. Senate in Iowa". Patriot Voices. May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
73. "Clovis Endorsed by Citizens United and Eagle Forum". The Iowa Republican. March 27, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
74. Jacobs, Jennifer (May 13, 2014). "Bob Vander Plaats endorses Sam Clovis for US Senate". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
75. Deace, Steve (March 31, 2014). "Sam Clovis Wins Gun Owners of America Endorsement". Caffeinated Thoughts. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
76. Deace, Steve (May 6, 2014). "Tea Party Patriots Endorses Clovis for U.S. Senate". SteveDeace.com. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
77. http://web.archive.org/web/20140502033153/http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/497296/Correction--Republican-Women-Ernst-story.html?isap=1&nav=5013. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
78. "Palin endorsement article". The Washington Post.
79. "Joni Ernst gets Reagan endorsement". TheGazette. 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
80. "In rare mailing, Romney backs Iowa's Joni Ernst for US Senate". Des Moines Register. March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
81. Spiering, Charlie (2014-05-05). "Exclusive: Marco Rubio Endorses Joni Ernst For Iowa Senate". Breitbart.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
82. "Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds endorses Joni Ernst in U.S. Senate race". Des Moines Register. October 7, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
83. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Former Republican State Representative Richard Anderson". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. September 5, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
84. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Representative Robert Bacon". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. August 15, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
85. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Representative Clel Baudler". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. September 4, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
86. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Senator Nancy Boettger". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. August 5, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
87. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Representative Mark Costello". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. September 6, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
88. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Representative Cecil Dolecheck". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. September 10, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
89. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of State Representative Dean Fisher". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. October 22, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
90. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Former State Senator Shawn Hamerlinck". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. October 4, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
91. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of State Representative Megan Hess". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. August 1, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
92. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of State Senator Hubert Houser". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. October 3, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
93. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Senator David Johnson". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. August 20, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
94. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Senator Tim Kapucian". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. August 1, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
95. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Former State Representative Renee Schulte". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. July 31, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
96. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Republican State Senator Amy Sinclair". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. August 19, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
97. "State Representative Rob Taylor Endorses Ernst for U.S. Senate". The Iowa Republican. July 24, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
98. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of State Senator Dan Zumbach". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. October 29, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
99. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Dallas County Recorder Chad Airhart". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. July 29, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
100. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Adel City Councilman Jon McAvoy". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. September 12, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
101. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Waukee City Councilman Isaiah McGee". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. September 13, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
102. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Mills County Auditor Carol Robertson". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. October 16, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
103. "Joni Ernst Announces Endorsement of Story County Treasurer Renee Twedt". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. October 17, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
104. "PAC endorsement". March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
105. "SCF Endorses Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate In Iowa". Senateconservatives.com. 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
106. "ShePAC Endorses Joni Ernst For United States Senate". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. October 2, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
107. "National business group picks Joni Ernst over GOP rivals in Iowa U.S. Senate race". Des Moines Register. May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
108. "Voices of Conservative Women PAC Endorses Joni Ernst for United States Senate". Joni Ernst for U.S. Senate. November 1, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
109. "The 'major endorsement' for GOP's Mark Jacobs? Bill Northey". Des Moines Register. May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
110. Vander Hart, Shane (December 30, 2013). "Matt Whitaker Endorsed by Former Hawkeye Brad Banks". Caffeinated Thoughts. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
111. "Endorsements". Whitaker for U.S. Senate. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
112. "U.S. Senate candidates Braley and Ernst agree to 3 debates". Qctimes.com. 2014-08-28. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
113. Douglas Butzier (L) 1%, Bob Quatz (I) 0%, Ruth Smith (I) 0%, Rick Stewart (I) 1%
114. Douglas Butzier (L) 0.6%, Bob Quatz (I) 0.6%, Ruth Smith (I) 0%, Rick Stewart (I) 1.2%
115. Douglas Butzier (L) 2%, Bob Quatz (I) 1%, Ruth Smith (I) 0%, Rick Stewart (I) 1%
116. Douglas Butzier (L) 1%, Bob Quatz (I) 0%, Ruth Smith (I) 2%, Rick Stewart (I) 2%, Other 1%
117. Rick Stewart (I) 2.2%, Douglas Butzier (L) 1%, Ruth Smith (I) 1%, Bob Quast (I) 0.6%
118. Douglas Butzier (L) 2%, Rick Stewart (I) 2%, Ruth Smith (I) 1%, Bob Quast (I) 0%
119. "Iowa secretary of State : Paul D. Pate : November 4, 2014 General Election". Electionresults.sos.iowa.gov. Retrieved 2015-08-16.

External links

• U.S. Senate elections in Iowa, 2014 at Ballotpedia
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Iowa U.S. Senate debate excerpts, OnTheIssues.org