Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Wednesday she was raped in college in an interview that comes after allegations of a violent relationship with her ex-husband came to light.
Ernst, 48, told Bloomberg that she was sexually assaulted one night by someone with whom she was in a relationship at his home while she was an Iowa State University student. Though she said she didn’t report her assault to police, she later volunteered at her campus’ sexual assault counseling center where she sought help after the incident.
“I didn’t want to share it with anybody, and in the era of #MeToo survivors, I always believed that every person is different and they will confront their demons when they’re ready,” Ernst said. “And I was not ready.”
Ernst’s comments come one day after it was revealed she alleged that her ex-husband Gail, 65, was abusive toward her during their marriage.
Joni and Gail Ernst announced in August they were filing for divorce after 26 years of marriage. The couple have one daughter, Libby, 19, who is enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy West Point. Gail Ernst has two daughters from his first marriage.
In court documents related to their divorce proceedings revealed Tuesday, Joni Ernst claimed she turned down the opportunity to be President Trump’s running mate in the 2016 election because she thought her husband “hated any successes I have.”
Gail Ernst has denied her assertions. “I gave up all my aspirations and goals to be a good dad and husband so Joni could pursue her dreams,” he wrote in a separate filing.
On Wednesday, the GOP senator up for re-election in 2020 also defended her support of Trump and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, both of whom have faced allegations of sexual misconduct.
“I’m seeking re-election. I’m going to do it as a single woman,” she said. “People know my situation now. What I can do is be honest about what happened. And I can move forward. The problem is now I’ve been outed when I was not ready to talk about it. But now maybe it forces me to talk about it.”
