Could Iowa Senator Joni Ernst be a Possible Running Mate for Donald Trump?

ADD ANOTHER ONE TO THE VP SHORT LIST …

Could Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst be on Donald Trump’s short list of possibly VP candidates? According to the NY Times, Trump met with Ernst in Monday in New Jersey. Other candidates include Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, former Speaker Newt Gingrich and NJ Gov. Chris Christie.

Donald J. Trump met in New Jersey on Monday with Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, as he screens potential running mates in a series of meetings.

One person briefed on the process, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said that the campaign began vetting Ms. Ernst in recent days as a possible vice-presidential pick. But it is not clear how seriously Ms. Ernst is being considered for a position that Mr. Trump has kept close counsel about filling.

Jason Miller, a senior communications adviser for Mr. Trump, declined to comment. In a statement on Monday, Ms. Ernst confirmed that she had met with Mr. Trump.

Ms. Ernst is a retired National Guard lieutenant colonel and a veteran of the Iraq war. Her military background could help Mr. Trump given his lack of foreign policy experience or national security experience. The fact that she is a woman could also help Mr. Trump with a group of voters with whom he currently polls poorly.

Ms. Ernst is also considered a possible keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention, which begins on July 18 in Cleveland.