Iowa Senate candidate Jodi Ernst skips out on meeting with Des Moines Register . `` And it 's one that many voters across our state seem to disagree with . '' The Register 's publisher called the move ` ` rare , '' but said it wo n't affect the paper 's endorsement . Ernst is in a neck - and - neck race with her opponent , Democratic Rep. Bruce Smith . The Braley campaign pounced on Ernst 's cancellation in a conference call Thursday afternoon .
Iowa Senate candidate Jodi Ernst skips out on meeting with Des Moines Register . The Register 's publisher called the move ` ` rare , '' but said it wo n't affect the paper 's endorsement . Ernst is in a neck - and - neck race with her opponent , Democratic Rep. Bruce Smith . The Braley campaign pounced on Ernst 's cancellation in a conference call Thursday afternoon .