If you’ve been following Iowa politics, you’ve probably heard the name “Gail Ernst” pop up in the news. He’s the ex-husband of Senator Joni Ernst, a high-profile Republican from Iowa who made history as the first woman elected to represent the state in Congress. But who is he beyond being a political spouse? And what happened between the two?
It’s a story that involves political ambitions, a high-profile divorce, and serious allegations. While Joni Ernst is a well-known public figure, Gail Ernst has largely stayed out of the spotlight since their divorce was finalized. Yet, the details that came out during their separation in 2018 and 2019 paint a complicated picture of their nearly three-decade-long marriage.
Here’s everything you need to know about Gail Ernst.
Who Is Gail Ernst?
Gail Ernst came into the public eye primarily through his marriage to Senator Joni Ernst. He’s a military veteran and has led a life very different from the political spotlight his ex-wife now occupies.
Military Career
Gail served in the United States Army, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Rangers . His military career is a significant part of his identity; he joined the Army in 1973, right after graduating high school, and served until his retirement in 2001.
This background in the military connects directly to how he met his future wife. Joni was part of the ROTC program at Iowa State University, where they bonded over their shared values and commitment to service.
Life After the Military
Once Gail retired from the military, he shifted to a more civilian life. He became a Branch Manager at a bank in Red Oak, Iowa, eventually getting promoted to Market President four years later. He left banking in 2007.
In 2009, he started a job as a Manager at the local airport in their city, where he even learned to fly a plane and got his private pilot’s license . He retired from this role in 2016. These days, he reportedly spends time on hobbies like riding motorcycles.
His Family
Gail and Joni Ernst were married for 26 years and share a daughter named Libby, who enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy West Point in 2018, carrying on the family’s military tradition. Gail also has two daughters from a previous marriage to Ingrid Nesbit.
How Joni and Gail Ernst Met
Their story starts at Iowa State University. Joni joined the ROTC program there in 1990 when she was about 20 years old, and that’s where she met Gail . Details of how they first connected are a bit fuzzy, but it’s likely they bonded over their mutual interest in the military and their similar values. They were married in 1992 .
Gail Ernst’s Role in Joni’s Political Career
Gail’s role in Joni’s political career was a source of tension from the start, and even public controversy at times.
Online Controversy
During Joni Ernst’s 2014 Senate run, Gail drew criticism for controversial posts he shared on his Facebook page. One particularly jarring post read, “What do you do if you see your ex running around in your front yard screaming and bloody? Stay calm. Reload. And try again”. He also made derogatory comments about former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Hillary Clinton.
Joni quickly distanced herself from his remarks, stating she was “appalled” and had addressed the issue with him privately.
Strained Marriage
The strain on their marriage seemed to increase alongside Joni’s political success. According to Joni’s court filings during the divorce, she felt that he resented her accomplishments. In one affidavit, she stated, “Meanwhile, he hated any successes I had and would belittle me and get angry any time I achieved a goal” .
In the same documents, she alleged that she turned down an opportunity to be Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate in 2016 due to her troubled marriage, saying she “continued to make sacrifices and not soar higher out of concern for Gail and our family” . Gail Ernst, however, rebuffed these accusations, writing that he “gave up all my aspirations and goals to be a good dad and husband so Joni could pursue her dreams”.
The Divorce and Abuse Allegations
The curtain finally fell on their 26-year marriage in August 2018 when they announced they were divorcing . The situation was painful and played out messily in public after divorce papers were unsealed, exposing a feud of allegations.
The Allegations in Court
In court documents, Joni Ernst accused Gail of years of mental and emotional abuse. She also detailed a specific incident in 2007 or 2008 where she claims he became physically violent. She described confronting him about an affair with a babysitter, leading to an argument where, “He turned around at the landing, and he grabbed me by the throat with his hands and threw me on the landing floor. And then he pounded my head on the landing”. She says she fled the house with their daughter that night.
The filings weren’t a one-way street, though. Gail Ernst also made allegations against Joni, claiming she had an affair with a soldier under her command while she was deployed in Kuwait . Joni Ernst vehemently denied this, stating, “That is not accurate and I was a company commander overseas and took that job very, very seriously”.
The divorce was finalized in January 2019 . Despite the ugliness of the process, Joni Ernst has spoken about it publicly, sharing her perspective as a survivor. At a town hall meeting after the allegations came out, she said, “What happened in our private life has now become public consumption. I am a survivor. But what I want people to understand is that I am the same person as I was last week. You just know more about what’s inside of me now”.
Where Is Gail Ernst Now?
Since the divorce, Gail Ernst has kept a low profile. Information about his current life is scarce, as he’s largely retreated from the public eye. While his ex-wife’s political career continues to make national headlines, Gail has remained out of the spotlight, a stark contrast to the public scrutiny he faced during their divorce.
FAQs About Gail Ernst
What is Gail Ernst’s age?
Gail Ernst joined the military in 1971, a year before Joni Ernst was born. He is approximately 17 years her senior and is currently in his late 60s.
Does Gail Ernst have children?
Yes, he has a daughter, Libby, with Senator Joni Ernst. He also has two older daughters from his previous marriage.
When did Gail and Joni Ernst divorce?
Their divorce was finalized in January 2019 after they announced their separation in August 2018.
What were Gail Ernst’s military jobs?
Gail Ernst served in the U.S. Army and retired as a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Rangers
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