A state senator from southwest Iowa is formally set to announce her bid for the U-S Senate. Senator Joni Ernst announced on a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/joniforiowa) Wednesday, that she intends to kick-off her campaign next week. An official announcement is expected to come 9-a.m. Wednesday (July 17^th)   at the Montgomery County Courthouse, in Red Oak.

Afterward, the 43-year old Ernst will reportedly travel to Council Bluffs and Sioux City for similar announcements. Her official campaign page www.joniforiowa.com , says Ernst is seeking the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin, in 2014. Ernst filed the paperwork for her candidacy,Wednesday.

Ernst serves in the Iowa’s 12^th District, which covers Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold and Taylor Counties. Prior to being re-elected last November, Ernst served as Auditor in Montgomery County. She won a special election to fill a seat vacated by Kim Reynolds, who would go on to become Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor. For the past 21-years, Ernst has also served in the Iowa Army National Guard, and is a veteran of the second Iraq war.

Other Republicans seeking the GOP Senate nomination include Ames Lawyer Matt Whitaker, David Young, a former aide to U-S Senator Charles Grassley, Sioux City talk show host Sam Clovis, and attorney Paul Lunde. Congressman Bruce Braley is only Democrat to declare his Senate candidacy.