DES MOINES, Iowa — Republican Joni Ernst late Tuesday won the Senate seat held for 30 years by Democrat Tom Harkin, becoming the first female U.S. senator in Iowa’s history in a tight race against Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley, who had Harkin’s endorsement.
“Tonight we’re taking the Iowa way all the way to Washington,” Ernst said to a sea of cheering supporters at the West Des Moines Marriott. “And we are going to make em’ squeal!” she said, using a line from her popular campaign ads.
Ernst, an Iowa state senator and lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, stood next to fellow Republicans Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who won re-election. She thanked the hundreds of people at the GOP Election Night Rally, her words barely heard over “Joni” chants and the sound of white noise-making balloons smacking together.
Ernst said she talked on the phone with Braley, calling him a worthy opponent who was willing to fight for what he believed in. She also thanked the Iowans who voted for him.
“I plan to work day and night to earn your trust and confidence for years to come,” Ernst said.
Veteran Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley stood in the crowd; he had given his full support for Ernst throughout her campaign. He said that his new colleague’s win is a step forward for the people of Iowa.
“I think it’s a good reward for the hard work she’s done,” Grassley said. “But it isn’t just Joni Ernst, it isn’t just Republicans running the Senate, it’s the fact the (Sen. Harry) Reid will no longer be longer be running the United States Senate.”
Grassley will now likely become the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, although he does not have a law degree as Braley pointed out at one of his campaign fundraisers. Ernst said she believed Braley’s comments are one of the reasons for her lead in the 
polls.
“The way he said those things really reflected very poorly on him and it really showed the type of person he is behind closed doors and the types of comments he makes. Iowans don’t appreciate that,” Ernst said.
The race between Ernst and Braley was among the tightest in the country as the GOP campaigned for Senate control. Even in the final minutes before Ernst emerged as the winner, pundits on Twitter and television panels deemed the race “too close to call.”
Shortly after Ernst accepted victory, Braley took to the stage 10 miles east at the Hotel Fort Des Moines to concede.
“This is not a bad day for Bruce Braley,” he told a ballroom filled with cheering supporters.
Harkin introduced Braley, saying, “I know we have heavy hearts tonight, but our heads are held high because we fought a clean, honorable campaign.”
Braley said his “biggest fear is that all of the great young Democratic activists…are going to be frustrated with tonight’s outcome.” he said.
