Senate races

Iowa Senate candidate fires on ObamaCare

Iowa Senate candidate Joni Ernst (R) fires on ObamaCare, and shows off her pistol skills, in her newest ad.

{mosads}Ernst rides a motorcycle up to a shooting range clad in black leather in the spot.

“She’s not your typical candidate — mom, farm girl, and a lieutenant colonel who carries more than just lipstick in her purse,” the ad’s narrator says as she walks into the gun range, loads her pistol and fires on a target. “Joni Ernst will take aim at wasteful spending. And once she sets her sites on ObamaCare, Joni’s going to unload.”

Her campaign says the ad will start running Tuesday on broadcast and cable in the Des Moines, Sioux City and Cedar Rapids TV markets, though it wouldn’t disclose how much it’s spending on the spot.

Ernst has gained notoriety for her tongue-in-cheek ads. Her first spot, in which she compared cutting government spending to hog castration, got national attention.

She’s facing off against deep-pocketed businessman Mark Jacobs (R), who’s been on the air for months with ads, as well as former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker (R) and former radio host Sam Clovis (R) in the primary. Ernst has the backing of much of the GOP establishment as well as some Tea Party figures including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R).

The winner will face Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) in the general election. Most polls have found Braley ahead by a small margin.