U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst earned a convincing 56.5 percent of the primary vote June 3 to claim the Republican nomination.

In order to win the nomination outright, candidates are required to earn 35 percent of the primary vote. If 35 percent is not achieved, the candidate is chosen by party delegates at a party convention.

State Senator Ernst, a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard is moving her campaign forward with a message of bringing Iowa values to Washington.

“It’s more about Iowa values versus big government in Washington D.C., let’s return the voice to the people of Iowa,” Ernst said. “We don’t have that with [Democratic nominee] Bruce Braley.” 

She also said that Braley “would be a rubber stamp for [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid.”

U.S. Representative Braley of Waterloo won the Iowa Democratic Primary unopposed. Braley challenged Ernst to avoid negative campaigning and mudslinging.

“I look forward to a rigorous debate about who can rise above the partisanship of Washington politics and fight for Iowa’s working families,” Braley said in a prepared statement.

Sam Clovis, a professor at Morningside College, made a late charge to finish as the runner up to Ernst with 17.8 percent of the vote.

Third place finisher Mark Jacobs of West Des Moines garnered 16.6 percent of the vote. In his concession speech, Jacobs touted the democratic process.

“This is not the outcome we were hoping for but an outcome Iowans voted for, and we respect that decision,” said Jacobs.

Matt Whitaker, former U.S. attorney for the southern district of Iowa, finished fourth, earning 7.6 percent of the vote. Whitaker said he believes party unity will be the key to the general election.

“We must unite as a party to win in November,” Whitaker said in a television interview. “We must do whatever we can, in any way we can to help [Ernst] win.”

Republican candidate Scott Schaben of Ames, finished with 1.4 percent of the vote.

Ernst vowed to unite the Republican party in Iowa in front of dozens of loud supporters during a speech accepting the party nomination.

“I will work hard to gain the trust of the supporters of my opponents,” Ernst said.

Iowa has never elected a woman to the U.S. Senate, and the nomination of Ernst provides an opportunity for the state to do so.