Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst distanced herself from groups who have donated to her in the past when asked about the role gun rights organizations play in her political thinking, but specifically wouldn’t separate herself from the National Rifle Association.
Ernst, a Republican, hit back at claims by protesters at the March For Our Lives rally Saturday that claimed she’s one of the senators who’s influenced by gun lobby dollars.
“I want to push back on that because I myself don’t receive funding from outside organizations other than what the smaller donations that might come from PACs, many outside organizations will run advertisements without the consent of candidates,” she said on CBS’ “Face The Nation.”
“They will run advertisements for candidates, against candidates. I have no control over that.”
But when host Margaret Brennan asked if she was separating herself from the NRA, Ernst backtracked.
“No, I am not separating myself from the NRA. I would state that there are a lot of outside organizations that cannot coordinate with candidates or their campaign, that’s against election law. So they will do what they want to do,” Ernst said.
Ernst added she’s been a supporter of the NRA for many years and was a member long before she decided to run for office.
