Iowa Senate candidates Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek presented competing visions of political independence in separate interviews aired Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” The rivals, facing off in a closely contested race, each sought to establish that they would prioritize state interests over strict party loyalty, a strategy aimed at appealing to voters in a state that President Donald Trump won by 13 points in the 2024 presidential election.
Hinson, the Republican candidate, conditioned her pledge to be Trump’s “strongest ally” on his alignment with Iowa’s interests. “If it’s for Iowa,” she said, adding, “I will be someone’s ally when they’re with me on the issues that are important to Iowa. And if they’re wrong, I’m going to pick a fight with them, no matter who that is.” Her comments follow reports that Republicans close to her campaign advised her to distance herself from Trump, citing concerns that his tariff agenda and the Iran war were undermining her electoral prospects.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican Ashley Hinson sought to balance her relationship with President Trump by criticizing specific aspects of his administration while maintaining support for others. She rejected Trump’s positive assessment of the economy, noting, “Well, sure doesn’t feel like it right now.” Hinson also criticized the administration’s dealings with Moscow, stating, “I don’t think we should be making any deals with Russia,” and pointed to her vote for sanctions. Her campaign confirmed she opposed sanctions relief for Russia while supporting Trump’s use of the Defense Production Act to bolster domestic energy production.
Hinson’s criticism had limits, particularly regarding foreign policy and military strategy. While she called for the Iran war to end quickly, she declined to oppose a potential new offensive after the midterms, stating she trusted Trump and the military to determine the necessary actions. Her stance reflects the tension within the Republican party in Iowa, where Democrats see an opportunity to win their first Senate election since 2008 amid frustration with high fuel costs and tariffs.
What the Left Is Saying
Democrat Josh Turek, a state representative, described himself as a “proud moderate” and emphasized a focus on individual and state concerns rather than national party dynamics. “I don’t think a lot about the party as a whole. I think about myself, and I think about Iowa,” Turek said. When asked if endorsements from national figures mattered, he offered a blunt assessment: “Probably not.”
Turek’s campaign has received significant backing from national Democratic figures, including a maximum contribution from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s leadership PAC and over $10 million in advertising from VoteVets. He has also secured a formal endorsement from former President Barack Obama, who appeared in an ad alongside Turek playing basketball. Despite this support, Turek acknowledged areas of agreement with Trump, stating the president had done “a better job on the border than Biden, for sure.” He also cited agreement on keeping private equity out of housing and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
What the Numbers Show
President Trump won Iowa by 13 points in the 2024 presidential election, providing a baseline of Republican strength in the state. However, Democrats are targeting this seat as a potential flip, with the last Democratic Senate victory in Iowa occurring in 2008. National Democratic support for Turek includes a maximum contribution from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s leadership PAC and more than $10 million in advertising spending by VoteVets. Hinson’s campaign has faced internal warnings from Republicans close to her team, who identified the tariff agenda and the Iran war as factors undermining her chances.
The Bottom Line
The competing pitches for independence from national party leaders highlight the competitive nature of the Iowa Senate race. Hinson’s conditional support for Trump and Turek’s moderate branding aim to appeal to voters dissatisfied with partisan extremes or specific policy outcomes like high fuel costs and tariffs. The outcome may depend on whether voters prioritize alignment with national party figures or the candidates’ stated willingness to break from their parties on issues like Russia sanctions and border security. The race remains closely watched as Democrats seek their first Senate win in Iowa since 2008.