Iowa Senate Primary Results
U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson has clinched the Republican nomination for Iowa’s open Senate seat, which has become available following Senator Joni Ernst’s announcement of her retirement at the end of her second term in January.
Hinson, a Republican from Iowa, achieved a significant victory against Army veteran Jim Carlin, securing 74.2% of the votes compared to Carlin’s 25.8%, as reported by the Associated Press with almost all ballots counted.
At 42, Hinson has represented Iowa in the House since 2021, initially serving the 1st Congressional District before transitioning to the 2nd District due to redistricting in 2020. Throughout her tenure, she has emphasized her bipartisan efforts to enhance child care access for working families, combat corruption in Washington, and foster job opportunities within the community. Additionally, she is part of both the House Appropriations Committee and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
A native of Iowa and a mother of two, Hinson previously worked as a reporter for KCRG-TV, where she won two Midwest regional Emmy awards.
Now, Hinson faces Iowa State Representative Joshua Turek, the Democrat nominee, who won 62.7% of the Democratic vote against Iowa State Senator Zack Wahls, who garnered 37.3%, according to the Associated Press.
Turek, 47, is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist who describes himself as an underdog, having been born with spina bifida which necessitates the use of a wheelchair.
He has criticized Hinson, pointing out that her net worth has increased significantly since her arrival in Washington, while Iowa’s economy has suffered. Turek claims to be one of the most bipartisan figures in the Iowa legislature, noting his efforts to improve the veterans homestead tax credit and facilitate repairs for mobility devices for Iowans with disabilities.
His policy goals include raising Iowa’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour, imposing a federal ban on food price gouging, restoring Medicaid funding, preventing members of Congress and their spouses from stock trading, safeguarding abortion rights, and reversing cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The general election is set for November 3rd.
