Ernst Wins Iowa Primary, Avoids Run Off June 3, 2014

Politico:
Joni Ernst has won the Iowa Republican Senate primary with greater than 35 percent of the vote, clinching her party’s nomination, The Associated Press reports. Ernst, a state senator, avoids the nomination being decided at a state party convention later this month.

With 24 percent of precincts reporting, Ernst was at 53 percent, well clear of both the 35-percent threshold and her closest rival, radio talk show host Sam Clovis, who was at 19 percent.

Ernst will face Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley in a hotly-contested race in November.

ICYMI: Iowa GOP Senate Search Continues, King Says, ‘No Thanks’ May 6, 2013

Axiom Strategies weekend political round-up notes,”Republican Rep. Steve King announced on Twitter late Friday night that he would not run for Senate. King marks the third — and highest-profile — contender to pull themselves from consideration in the last couple weeks. Republicans considered King to be a shoo-in for the primary, and his decision leaves the GOP field wide open in the race for retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin’s seat. The Democratic field has essentially cleared for Rep. Bruce Braley. Source: ROLL CALL