Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst responded Monday to comments Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), who she is running to replace, made comparing her looks to those of pop star Taylor Swift.
“I was very offended that Sen. Harkin would say that,” Ernst said in an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.” “I think it’s unfortunate that he and many of their party believe that you can’t be a real woman if you’re conservative and you’re female.”
“If my name had been John Ernst attached to my resume, Sen. Harkin would not have said those things,” she added later.
Speaking at a local Democratic Party barbecue last week, Harkin said that campaign ads have given him the impression that Ernst is “attractive” and “sounds nice.” The remarks were flagged by Buzzfeed.
“I don’t care if she’s as good looking as Taylor Swift or as nice as Mr. Rogers, but if she votes like [Minnesota Rep.] Michele Bachmann, she’s wrong for the state of Iowa,” Harkin said at the event.
Asked how she thought those comments would have gone over if Harkin were a Republican talking about a female Democratic candidate, Ernst said she thought the press “would not have let that go.”
The TPM Polltracker average has Ernst leading her opponent Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) 47.7 percent to 45.9 percent.
