During the 2016 election, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst was floated as a possible vice presidential candidate for Donald Trump. | Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Politics Ernst says she turned down Trump VP job

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa says she turned down the opportunity to be Donald Trump's running mate in the 2016 election because of her strained relationship with her then-husband.

“In the summer of 2016, I was interviewed by Candidate Trump to be vice president of the United States. I turned Candidate Trump down, knowing it wasn’t the right thing for me or my family," according to an affidavit filed as part of divorce proceedings, the Guardian reported. “I continued to make sacrifices and not soar higher out of concern for Gail and our family."


Ernst and her ex-husband, Gail, had been married for 26 years, and announced their divorce last August. The divorce was finalized this month.

In the affidavit, the Iowa Republican said Gail Ernst "hated any successes I had and would belittle me and get angry any time I achieved a goal," according to the Guardian.

Joni Ernst also alleged in her filing that Gail Ernst physically attacked her after she confronted him about suspicions of an affair, the Des Moines Register reported. The paper was not able to reach either of the Ernsts for comment.

During the 2016 election, Joni Ernst was floated as a possible vice presidential candidate for Trump. The two met on July 4, 2016, at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. Following the meeting, the senator told POLITICO that she told Trump she was "focused on Iowa."

“I made that very clear to him that I’m focused on Iowa. I feel that I have a lot more to do in the United States Senate. And Iowa is where my heart is,” Ernst told POLITICO at the time.

Gail Ernst in his own court filing said he was supportive of his wife's career, adding that he "gave up all my aspirations and goals to be a good dad and husband so Joni could pursue her dreams."

Joni Ernst, the first woman elected to be senator from Iowa, also made history as the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate. Democrat Geraldine Ferraro and Republican Sarah Palin are the only two women who have been major party vice presidential nominees.

A woman has yet to be elected president or vice president.