(Radio Iowa) – A report by The Hill, Wednesday, said Iowa Senator Joni Ernst lost out on her bid to become the Republican Senate Conference Chair. The third highest leadership position is being filled instead by Senator Tom Cotton, of Arkansas. It was the only contested race for a GOP leadership position outside of the Senate leadership race.

Iowa’s junior senator was not picked by the president-elect to become the next U.S. Secretary of Defense, either. On Tuesday, Donald Trump announced that Pete Hegseth– an Army National Guard veteran and author — was his nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Ernst never publicly confirmed interest in becoming cabinet secretary but has said previously that she could be interested in serving in the Trump administration. Hegseth has previously questioned the role of women in the military. Ernst is a decorated combat veteran and retired as lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard after two decades of service.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he supported Ernst instead of Cotton. He said that during Republicans’ private gathering to elect leaders, he nominated Ernst for the leadership position and praised the skills that she demonstrated in the senate and during her military career.