Oskaloosa , Iowa ( CNN ) -- Republican Joni Ernst defended Tuesday her decision to abruptly cancel a meeting with the Des Moines Register Editorial Board last week , telling CNN `` it did n't make sense '' because she knew they would back her Democratic opponent . `` It was quite evident where they stood in this race and they were going to endorse my opponent , '' Ernst said in an interview at a campaign stop in Oskaloosa . The Des Moines Register endorsement is coveted in Iowa politics , and sitting down with editorial boards to answer questions is a long-held tradition not only in Iowa but nationwide . Ernst aides point to several editorials in the days leading up to the scheduled meeting as proof she would n't get a fair shake from the newspaper . Related : Ernst skips Des Moines Register meeting . A Des Moines Register editorial last week called Ernst `` naive '' for insisting that a constitutional amendment on so-called personhood that she co-sponsored in the state Senate is `` simply a statement that I support life . '' But the same editorial also criticized her Democratic opponent , Bruce Braley . The race for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin is one of the most competitive contests this year , with recent polls showing Ernst with a slight lead or a statistical tie between the two . The seat would be a crucial pickup for Republicans on their quest to retake the upper chamber . After Ernst canceled her meeting with the Des Moines Register , its publisher issued a statement expressing his disappointment , but insisting that `` snubbing us or appearing before us wo n't be the final call in our endorsement . '' This past Sunday the newspaper did in fact endorse Braley . Despite insisting the cancellation was not about avoiding tough questions , the reality is any editorial board is a tough room . Alison Lundergan Grimes got tripped up earlier this month at an editorial board meeting with the Courier Journal when she refused to say if she voted for President Barack Obama . Not taking such a risk so close the election comports with the Ernst campaign strategy right now , which is to exude confidence , likability and keep the focus on fixing a broken Washington . The question is whether Ernst defying tradition in a state that cherishes its traditions will hurt her with voters who are on the fence , especially if they think she was in fact avoiding tough questions . Ernst insists the best thing for her now is to follow the ultimate Iowa tradition , which is to be out and meeting voters . `` I really need to be on the trail and visiting with Iowans and making sure they have the opportunity to interact with me and ask me questions . that 's the important thing at this point in time , '' Ernst told CNN .
Joni Ernst had a preplanned meeting with the Des Moines Register last week . She said ' it was quite evident ' the paper would back her candidacy , which they did . The newspaper said Ernst 's cancellation was not the sole factor behind the endorsement .