(Radio Iowa) – Joni Ernst is now publicly backing fellow Republican Ashley Hinson’s bid to succeed her in the U-S Senate. Ernst, who announced she would not run for re-election four months ago, joined Hinson this weekend at a campaign event in Adel. “Part of that decision on whether I would run again or not was knowing that we, as Iowans, would have somebody that could step in to this campaign and ensure that we keep this seat. That woman is Ashley Hinson,” Ernst said, to cheers from the crowd.

Ernst hinted at the stakes in a so-called midterm election, when campaigns can be tougher for candidates from the same party as a sitting president. “It’s going to be a banger of a year, folks,” Ernst said, “so we’re going to have to get out and knock those doors, make those phone calls, talk to everyone you know.” Hinson is citing the theme of Ernst’s 2014 campaign — when Ernst promised to make ’em squeal in Washington.

“For the past almost 12 years now, the biggest, fattest cats have been running away squealing from you and I can tell you this…not only will they not stop squealing,” Hinson said, “we’re going to make ’em squeal even louder.” Hinson is currently in her third term in the U-S House, representing Iowa’s second congressional district.

A spokesperson for the Iowa Democratic Party says with Ernst’s endorsement, it’s clear Hinson will be just like Ernst and prioritize tax breaks for billionaires over hardworking Iowans.