The political pair are campaigning for the “On Duty for Joni” tour, stopping first in Marshalltown, then in Cedar Rapids and finally the Quad Cities. Ernst, meanwhile, is participating in the confirmation hearing for Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a member of the Judiciary Committee, along with fellow Republican Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Marshall County Treasurer Jarret Heil introduced Reynolds and Branstad to a crowd of roughly 30 Marshall County residents who gathered at the Marshalltown Police and Fire building. Heil told the crowd Iowa needs the leadership of Ernst, who can help provide fiscal responsibility and keep power in the hands of citizens.

Reynolds thanked the crowd for gathering on the windy afternoon in support of Ernst.

“We have the energy. We have the enthusiasm and we are seeing that as we travel across the state,” she said. “Whether it is signs or flags or boat parades or car parades, people are excited about this election. They know how important it is that we do everything we can to keep America America.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds removes her mask to speak to a crowd gathered for Sen. Joni Ernst on Tuesday at the Marshalltown Police and Fire building. The senator was not present due to Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, so other prominent Republicans are campaigning for her.

Reynolds said Ernst has made her life about service to the people. The governor said Ernst has traveled to all 99 counties of Iowa while pointing out the election challenger Democrat Theresa Greenfield is getting money from outside of the state. Reynolds seized the moment to engage the crowd.

“Can Iowans be bought?” she asked.

The crowd responded with an enthusiastic “No.”

Greenfield is not the only candidate to receive campaign money from out-of-state entities. According to OpenSecrets.org, Ernst received $53,750 from Apollo Global Management, a New York-based alternative investment management firm.

Reynolds said that can be done by keeping Ernst in her position as an Iowa Senator. She also took the time to promote President Donald Trump in the election, as well as Ashley Hinson, the Republican candidate for Iowa’s first Congressional district seat.

Marshall County Treasurer Jarret Heil introduces Gov. Kim Reynolds during a Tuesday campaign stop for Joni Ernst in Marshalltown.

Branstad spoke after Reynolds, saying he was happy to be back in Iowa. He began his speech by telling the people Iowa was fortunate to have both senators serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Branstad complimented Barrett for the answers she has provided in the hearing. He also said Democrat members of the committee have been asking Barrett about how she would vote on certain subjects. That, Branstad said, is unethical.

“They are trying to politicize the process,” he said. “This is the one branch of government that is not political. The Supreme Court, judicial system, is supposed to stay objective and make decisions based on the law and applying the facts to the law.”

Branstad then complimented Ernst on her performance in the United States Senate, and said she was a strong champion for ethanol and biofuels.

“We are blessed to have an outstanding Senator who is doing her job, representing us and working to make sure that we get a new justice on the Supreme Court that we can all be proud of,” Branstad said. “So we got to do our part to help her. That’s why I’ve joined Gov. Reynolds to travel the state on behalf of Joni and the entire Republican ticket.”

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad speaks to a crowd outside of the Marshalltown Police and Fire building on Tuesday. He and Gov. Kim Reynolds are campaigning for Sen. Joni Ernst.