Ernst running for Senate GOP conference chair

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, setting up a race between her and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

Ernst, who declined to say last week whether she would run for a higher leadership position, told Politico in an interview Sunday she will run against Cotton, a highly respected conservative and defense hawk who previously expressed his intention to seek the job.

“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.”

Ernst, who is 53, regularly attends the Tuesday Senate Republican leadership press conferences as the chair of the Policy Committee, which would be valuable experience in the conference chair’s position.

The GOP conference chair plays a major role in developing the Senate Republican message and distributing talking points and information to GOP senators.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who serves as conference chair, is running to become the next Senate GOP whip.

Cotton, who is 46, has a policy of not speaking to reporters in the Capitol hallways, but he participates in interviews with select media outlets, often promoting conservative stances on immigration, law and order and national security issues.

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.).