Republican Senate nominee Ashley Hinson is calling out her Democratic opponent, state Rep. Josh Turek of Iowa, over his attendance record in the state legislature, accusing him of missing nearly 60% of House votes during the 2026 session while collecting thousands in taxpayer-funded per diem benefits.
Turek, who is running to flip the Republican-held seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, missed 261 of the chamber's 446 recorded votes between January 12 and May 3, according to an analysis first reported by Fox News Digital. Under Iowa state law, legislators receive a tax-free per diem of $201 for each day the legislature is in session, meaning Turek collected $20,100 in payments over 100 legislative days this year.
What the Left Is Saying
Turek's campaign pushed back sharply on Hinson's criticism, pointing to what it called inconsistencies in her own record. A spokesperson for the Turek campaign told Fox News Digital that Hinson 'skipped votes on the annual defense funding bill to fundraise' and noted she had 'wasted $50,000 in taxpayer funds to pay for her luxury D.C. apartment.'
The attack came after Hinson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, was absent during a portion of the panel's markup for this year's National Defense Authorization Act. Under House rules adopted in 2023, lawmakers are eligible for taxpayer-funded reimbursements for certain housing expenses while in Washington.
Democrats have argued that an unfavorable political environment for Republicans, driven by voter discontent over the economy and cost of living pressures, has put the open seat in play. Though Iowa has not elected a Democratic senator in nearly two decades, some party strategists see an opening given polling showing the race within the margin of error.
What the Right Is Saying
Hinson, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump and has represented a northeastern Iowa seat including Cedar Rapids since 2021, called Turek's attendance record disqualifying. 'The truth is out. He's an absentee legislator,' Hinson told Fox News Digital. 'He accepted more than $20,000 in per diem benefits, but hardly showed up.'
Hinson pointed to reporting by The Washington Free Beacon that found Turek missed a vote on an appropriations bill providing funding for veterans' assistance while attending a fundraiser hosted by VoteVets, a nonprofit aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. 'He was skipping votes to attend ritzy fundraisers,' Hinson said.
The Republican nominee contrasted her own congressional voting record with her opponent's statehouse absences. 'I have a 98.8 percent voting record in Congress,' Hinson told Fox News Digital. 'Iowans need a senator who's going to show up and be their advocate.'
Hinson said she approaches every race as if trailing by 10 points, vowing to 'earn every single vote' while acknowledging economic headwinds. 'I'm a minivan-driving mom, and I understand it's tough to keep those groceries stocked,' she said, adding that her focus is on 'lowering costs for Iowa working families.'
What the Numbers Show
The attendance gap between the two candidates is substantial. Turek's 58% absence rate during the 2026 legislative session stands in contrast to Hinson's self-reported 98.8% voting record during her time in Congress.
A Fox News poll released earlier in July found Turek leading Hinson 50% to 46%, a difference within the survey's margin of error, suggesting a statistically tied race. The same poll showed Trump with a net favorability rating of minus 13 points in Iowa, with just 42% of Iowans viewing him favorably.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest as 'Lean Republican,' though the outlet shifted the race toward Democrats following Turek's primary victory over a progressive challenger backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
The Bottom Line
The Turek attendance controversy highlights the challenges both candidates face in presenting themselves as consistent advocates for Iowa voters. Republicans are betting that Hinson's congressional voting record and Trump endorsement will outweigh Democratic enthusiasm around Turek's candidacy and polling strength.
Democrats point to economic anxiety and Trump's underwater favorability ratings as evidence that traditional partisan lean may not be enough to hold this open seat. The race is expected to remain competitive through November, with both campaigns signaling they will continue to scrutinize each other's records on attendance, spending, and legislative priorities.