(Radio Iowa) – Republican Senator Joni Ernst hosted a motorcycle ride across the state this weekend, with rallies in five different cities. It started Saturday in Sioux City, then a stop in Carroll where many in the crowd were waving Trump flags. Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, made his first appearance after resigning as U.S. Ambassador to China. “Donald Trump, our great American president,” Branstad said, to cheers. “…I also want you to know that Joni Ernst was there to support the president all the way.” Ernst told reporter her fate isn’t tied to Trump’s and she’s running her own race. “I think we’re on a great path,” Ernst said. “I mean I feel the enthusiasm and the energy out there and that’s what’s going to take us over the finish line.”

On Sunday morning, seven-term Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Ernst greeted several dozen motorcyclists before Ernst led the group to stops in Cedar Rapids and Davenport. Grassley criticized the money being spent by outside groups touting Ernst’s opponent. “Joni and I have been a team now for six years,” Grassley said. “…We’ve got to re-elect Joni to keep the team in place.”

Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield campaigned in northern Iowa this weekend, touring a farm near Buffalo Center and visiting with small groups at stops in Estherville and Lake Mills. “We’re working hard in our campaign to follow public health guidelines…and encourage people to mask up,” she told Radio Iowa. Greenfield raised nearly 29-million dollars in the third quarter — an all-time record for an Iowa senate campaign “There’s a lot of excitement in this campaign,” Greenfield says. “…I stay focused on the basic issues. The things that really affect people’s lives, in places like this.” November 3rd, Election Day, is 22 days away.