Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair Joni Ernst (Iowa) will run for Senate Republican Conference chair, the No. 3-ranking position in the Senate Republican leadership.
Ernst will face off against fellow conservative Tom Cotton (Ark.) who is also running for the position.
Ernst, who declined to say last week whether she would run for a higher leadership position, told Politico in an interview Sunday that she will run against Cotton.
“Absolutely, this is winnable for me. And we shouldn't be afraid of elections for heaven's sake,” Ernst said. “I've never been the establishment's chosen candidate. I've always been that outsider.”
The announcement sets up a steep battle against Cotton who is a highly respected conservative and defense hawk who previously expressed his intention to seek the job.
Cotton told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt his plan to run for conference chair on the same day that Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who currently holds the post, announced he will run to become the next Senate GOP whip.
Ernst's entry into the race sets the stage for two competitive Senate Republican leadership races this year.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) is running against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to succeed outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
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