Nov 3, 2026 · open seat

Iowa - United States Senate

Sen. Joni Ernst is retiring, leaving this seat open. Iowa hasn't elected a Democratic senator since 2008 — but open seats are where upsets happen.

Josh Turek

Democrat - Age: 47

State representative from Council Bluffs and two-time Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball.

Campaign website →

Ashley Hinson

Republican - Age: 43

U.S. representative since 2021 and former TV news anchor from Marion. Endorsed by President Trump.

Campaign website →

Who's ahead? CookTOSS-UPSabatoTOSS-UPDDHQTOSS-UP

Ratings: Cook Political Report (Aug 20), Sabato’s Crystal Ball (Sept 22), Decision Desk HQ (Aug 5). Source → Sabato Sept 22 update →

Turek

Hinson

Marist, Sept 17–20, 1,050 registered voters, ±4.4. Emerson (Aug 31–Sept 1) had Hinson up 50–45 → Sept 17–20

Where they stand

Tap a topic that's important to you.

TUREK SAYS

HINSON SAYS

Money & campaign finance

Where each candidate stands on campaign-finance questions.

TUREK

HINSON

Yes Ban Congress from trading stocks Yes

No Takes corporate PAC money Unknown

Republicans point to a contribution from an NEA-connected PAC registered with the FEC as a corporation PAC; Turek says he takes no corporate PAC money.

Sources: Turek platform · Hinson campaigns on a ban (Turek statement)

Fundraising

RAISEDCASH ON HANDUNDER-$200 DONORS

Josh Turek

$6.3M$2.4M43% of receipts

Ashley Hinson

$10.2M$6.7M10% of receipts

Campaign committee totals for the 2025–26 cycle, through June 30, 2026. Under-$200 share is unitemized individual contributions divided by total receipts. FEC filings →

Their big promises

TUREK'S TOP 3

Protect Medicaid & rural hospitals

Reverse Medicaid cuts and keep Iowa's rural hospitals and nursing homes open.

Lower everyday costs

Cheaper prescriptions, childcare, and housing for working families.

Money out of politics

Ban congressional stock trading and overturn Citizens United.

HINSON'S TOP 3

Cut taxes & spending

Make the Trump tax cuts permanent and rein in federal spending.

Secure the border

Back the administration's border enforcement and deportation agenda.

Champion Iowa agriculture

Expand ethanol and biofuels, and open new export markets for Iowa farmers.

Agree or differ?

Ethanol & biofuels support

Both back year-round E15 and a strong renewable fuel standard — a near-universal position in Iowa politics

AGREE

The 2025 Medicaid cuts

Hinson voted for the budget law that cut Medicaid · Turek, who relied on Medicaid growing up, has made reversing it his central issue

DIFFER

Making the Trump tax cuts permanent

Hinson: yes, a signature promise · Turek: opposes extending cuts for the wealthiest

DIFFER

Farm bill & crop insurance funding

Both support a full farm bill with strong crop insurance for Iowa producers

AGREE

Broad tariffs on imports

Hinson defends the administration's tariff strategy · Turek says tariffs cost Iowa farmers their export markets

DIFFER

Abortion

Turek supports restoring Roe-era protections · Hinson opposes abortion, with limited exceptions

DIFFER

Their stories

JOSH TUREK

1979Born in Council Bluffs with spina bifida; has used a wheelchair his whole life.

2016Won Paralympic gold in wheelchair basketball in Rio, then again in Tokyo.

2022Elected to the Iowa House from a Trump-won district — by six votes.

2026Won the Democratic primary with 62.6% over state Sen. Zach Wahls.

ASHLEY HINSON

2004Began a decade-plus career as a TV news anchor at KCRG in Cedar Rapids.

2016Elected to the Iowa House from Marion.

2020Flipped a U.S. House seat, unseating a Democratic incumbent; re-elected twice.

2026With Trump's endorsement, won the GOP primary with 73.9% after Ernst retired.

Positions summarized from campaign websites, voting records, and news reports · July 2026
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