Politics
Iowa Senate candidates draw different lines with Trump as race tightens
Republican Ashley Hinson says she will oppose President Donald Trump when his actions conflict with Iowa’s interests, while Democrat Josh Turek says he would work with Trump on issues where they agree. Their contrasting pitches come as Democrats see a chance to win Iowa’s Senate seat for the first time since 2008.
The candidates in Iowa’s closely watched U.S. Senate race are making competing claims of independence from their parties, with Republican Ashley Hinson promising to challenge President Donald Trump on some issues and Democrat Josh Turek emphasizing areas where he agrees with him.
In interviews aired Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” Hinson said her campaign pledge to be Trump’s “strongest ally” would depend on whether his actions served Iowa. “If they’re wrong, I’m going to pick a fight with them, no matter who that is,” she said.
Hinson, a Republican member of Congress, said the economy did not feel as strong as Trump had described it and criticized the administration’s dealings with Russia. She pointed to her vote for sanctions and said she opposed easing sanctions on Moscow. But she declined to rule out a possible U.S. offensive against Iran after the midterms, saying she trusted Trump and the military to decide what was necessary. She has called for the war to end quickly.
Turek, a Democratic state representative, described himself as a “proud moderate” and said he focuses on Iowa rather than the direction of his party. Asked what Trump had done well, Turek said the president had handled the border better than former President Joe Biden. He also cited shared positions on barring private equity firms from housing and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security, while arguing that Trump’s economic policies have concentrated wealth and power.
The candidates’ efforts to distinguish themselves come in a state Trump carried by 13 percentage points in 2024. Democrats are seeking their first Iowa Senate victory since 2008, while high fuel costs and public frustration with tariffs are creating challenges for Republicans defending the seat.
Hinson’s comments come amid pressure from some Republicans to distance herself from Trump, whose tariff policies and the Iran war have raised concerns among party allies about her prospects. Turek, meanwhile, received national Democratic support during his primary campaign: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s leadership PAC contributed the maximum to his campaign, and VoteVets spent more than $10 million on advertising for him. Schumer did not formally endorse Turek. Former President Barack Obama has endorsed him and appeared with him in a campaign advertisement.
Asked whether endorsements mattered, Turek replied, “Probably not.”