Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst became the second prominent Republican to bow out of Donald Trump’s vice presidential selection sweepstakes Wednesday, but she may be on board for a prominent speaking role at the convention.
Ernst said Wednesday that she made it “very clear” to Trump that her focus is on her home state, adding that she is “just getting started” in the Senate as a freshman member.
“I made that very clear to him that I’m focused on Iowa. I feel that I have a lot more to do in the United States Senate. And Iowa is where my heart is,” Ernst told Politico. “I’m just getting started here. I have a great partner with Chuck Grassley. We’ve been able to accomplish a lot. And I think that President Trump will need some great assistance in the United States Senate and I can provide that.”
Although many suspected Ernst to be vetted by the Trump campaign, she has yet to be contacted by the presumptive Republican nominee about the process. Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, who campaigned with Trump on Tuesday and sat for meetings with him in New York, announced earlier in the day that he removed himself from consideration.
The first-term Iowa senator said she will still be offering Trump advice on how to win the Hawkeye State. “I will probably participate more as an advocate,” Ernst said while discussing how she will support the real estate mogul. “I would love to assist him out on the trail.”
The New York Times reported that Ernst will be handed a primetime speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in two weeks time. Trump tweeted out earlier Wednesday that the convention’s speaker schedule will be released on Thursday.
Ernst also spoke highly of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who has also been subject to speculation concerning the Trump vice presidential search. Pence met with Trump over the weekend and played golf with him.
“I will admit that I am a Mike Pence fan,” she said. “He is so well-rounded, served as a governor and I think he’s a great conservative. So I don’t think he could go wrong.”
