DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Senate candidate Joni Ernst will take a break from campaigning for two weeks to take part in active duty training for the Iowa National Guard. But before lacing up her boots, Ernst has recorded the Republicans’ national radio address.

The Republican National Committee confirms that Ernst recorded the speech Thursday evening just hours before she was scheduled to report for duty. Ernst is a lieutenant colonel and will not campaign for two weeks while she leads an Iowa transportation battalion on its annual active duty training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The address airs Saturday morning.

Ernst is an Iowa state senator who won a five-way primary last month. She faces Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley for the seat being vacated by five-term Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin, who is retiring.