DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s new Senator-elect Joni Ernst got a congratulatory phone call from President Barack Obama this week. A White House official said Thursday that Ernst was among the election winners Obama called Wednesday. The Republican from Red Oak beat Democrat Bruce Braley for the Senate seat long held by Democrat Tom Harkin.

Ernst spokeswoman Caitlin Conant declined to comment on the conversation. Throughout the campaign Ernst was critical of Obama and his administration and sought to tie Braley to the unpopular president.