(Radio Iowa) Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield engaged in a combative debate last (Monday) night on Iowa P-B-S. The candidates disagreed on taxes, immigration, infrastructure, the minimum wage and when the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court should be filled. Ernst, who described herself as “proudly pro-life,” downplayed the idea confirming President Trump’s nominee will get the ultimate result abortion opponents have long sought.

“I think the likelihood of Roe v Wade being overturned is very minimal,” Ernst said. Greenfield called the decision “settled law.”  “I will always defend a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions with the guidance of her doctor,” Greenfield said. Tens of millions of dollars is being spent by outside groups on this Senate race and each candidate accused the other of being beholden to special interest money.

“Senator Ernst has taken $2 million in corporate PAC donations and folks, there’s too much money in our politics. I put a plan together. She doesn’t have one.” Ernst responded: In one hand, she’s saying: ‘Oh, we’re not going to have dark money in this campaign.’ She’s got the other hand behind her saying: ‘Please hand me some dark money.'” Neither candidate ruled out the idea of raising new fees to supplement the per-gallon gas tax, but their views of the federal minimum wage diverged. Ernst said it may be time to “index” the minimum wage, so it automatically goes up based on inflation.

“There are a lot of solutions out there,” Ernst said, “but overall I do believe that this should be a state-based issue as well.” Greenfield expressed support for doubling the federal minimum wage. “No one can feed a family on $7.25 an hour,” Greenfield said. “…I believe we need to move it up to $15 over time.” Due to the pandemic, the debate was held in an empty auditorium and the candidates were separated by plexiglass.

Ernst mentioned she wears a face mask, but she said requiring face coverings in public doesn’t appear to be enforceable. Greenfield cited the recent increase in Covid cases and pointed to the White House Coronavirus Task Force recommendation that Iowa have a statewide mask mandate.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst says she has been “very consistent” in her views on Supreme Court nominees despite supporting a vote on President Donald Trump’s nominee while working with other Republicans to block a nomination by President Barack Obama. Ernst was asked about her seemingly contradictory stands during a televised debate with Democrat Theresa Greenfield that touched on topics ranging from the Supreme Court and Trump’s tax returns to health care and racial justice. Ernst says this nomination is different than in 2016 because Republicans control both the Senate and presidency. Greenfield argued the GOP-majority Senate shouldn’t act on Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett fewer than 40 days before the presidential election.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge is refusing to block a Republican-backed Iowa law that makes it harder for county officials to process absentee ballot applications and more likely that incomplete requests won’t be fulfilled. In an opinion released Monday, Judge Lars Anderson rejects arguments by a Latino civil rights organization and a Democratic Party group that the law is an undue burden on the fundamental right to vote. The ruling is another victory for Republicans who want to limit absentee voting, which begins next week in Iowa. Republicans have already invalidated tens of thousands of absentee ballot applications in three counties.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is reporting more than 600 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours and two additional deaths. The state Department of Public Health on Monday reported 611 confirmed cases in the 24 hours since Sunday morning, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 86,840. The two additional deaths brought the number of confirmed coronavirus deaths to 1,317 people. On Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new emergency proclamation that extends bar closures in Johnson and Story counties for at least another week. Those counties are home to the University of Iowa and Iowa State University and have seen a surge in confirmed coronavirus cases.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo police say two people died of their injuries and another 10 were hurt when at least two people began shooting at each other inside a private club. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported that police said Monday that the second person to die at a hospital this weekend was a woman from outside Waterloo. A 22-year-old Waterloo man also died at a hospital after being shot. No arrests have yet been made. Police said the shooting occurred about 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Authorities estimated that about 100 people were at the club when gunfire erupted inside following a confrontation.

Van Meter, IA – David Young, candidate for Iowa’s Third Congressional Seat, announced on Monday, the members of his Veterans Steering Committee. According to the campaign, “These women and men are taking leadership roles in reaching out to veterans in their counties and communities to share Young’s record on Veteran’s issues.”

Among the members of the steering committee is: Brian Rink (USMC), from Cass County; Adam Grundman (Navy, Army Reserves), from Adams County; John Porter, (USAF), from Adair County; U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, an Iraq war veteran from Montgomery County, and State Representative Stan Gustafson from Madison County, a Vietnam War veteran. Membership represents the Army, Navy, Marines Corps, Air Force, and Iowa Army National Guard. (see the complete list, below)

David Young was elected to serve the Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 and reelected in 2016. He served on the influential Committee of Appropriations. Prior to his service in Congress, Young served Iowans as U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s Chief of Staff from 2006-2013. A graduate of Johnston High School and Drake University, Young is a seventh generation Iowan and resides in Van Meter.