Senate Race in Iowa Heats Up with Attendance Controversy
A Democratic candidate, considered crucial for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s ambitions to reclaim the Senate, is under fire for his voting attendance.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), running for the U.S. Senate, criticized her opponent, Rep. Josh Turek (D-Iowa), for missing 58% of House votes during the recent session in 2026, all while benefiting from substantial taxpayer funds allocated to state legislators.
Hinson labeled Turek’s absence as damaging, especially considering his background as a two-time Paralympic gold medalist seeking to turn a Republican seat blue this November.
“The truth is clear. He is an absentee member of Congress,” Hinson stated in a recent chat with FOX News Digital. “He received over $20,000 in daily allowances but hardly showed his face.”
Following prior reports, Hinson’s critique arose after Turek was found to have missed 261 floor votes between January 12 and May 3, equating to nearly 60% of his duties. Turek has been in the Iowa House since 2023, engaged mostly in a heated primary against progressive opponents aligned with Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
In Iowa, lawmakers receive a daily allowance of $201 tax-free for days the Legislature is in session, totaling around $20,100 for Turek this year alone.
“He was skipping votes for fancy fundraisers,” Hinson claimed. Interestingly, in May, Turek missed a vote on veterans’ funding while attending a fundraiser associated with VoteVets, linked to Schumer.
Hinson also pointed out that Turek missed important votes to support farmers through the Iowa Farm Bill.
Hinson emphasized her strong voting record—98.8%—while contrasting it with Turek’s in their intense battle to replace Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “Iowans need a senator who will actually show up for them,” she added.
When approached for a response, Turek’s campaign took aim at Hinson’s own history. “Ashley Hinson is a billionaire who bypassed votes on key defense funding while raising money and squandering $50,000 in taxpayer funds on a luxury apartment in D.C.,” a spokesperson noted.
Hinson, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, was also absent from part of the committee’s discussion on this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, set to be debated in the coming week.
The squabble unfolds as recent polls indicate a near tie between Hinson and Turek. Iowa hasn’t elected a Democratic senator for almost two decades, but Democrats feel the current political climate may favor their chances—primarily due to growing discontent with the economy and living costs.
A Fox News poll from early July revealed Hinson trailing Turek slightly by 46 to 50 percentage points, right within the error margin. The poll also highlighted that President Trump’s approval rating among Iowans is notably low, at -13 points.
When asked about the competitive race, Hinson seemed to diminish the statistics, asserting, “We have a 10-point difference,” as she pledged to “scoop up every vote.”
She candidly voiced, “I get that these are tough times. I’m a mom navigating costs—groceries and gas aren’t getting cheaper.” Her goal, she said, is to listen to Iowans and combat governmental oversights to lower living expenses for families.
Hinson declared, “Iowans seek relatable representatives who understand their struggles. We aim to translate that into success this November.” Backed by Trump, Hinson has served the northeastern Iowa seat—including Cedar Rapids—since 2021, after a stint as a state legislator and broadcaster.
The Cook Political Report categorizes the race as “lean Republican” after Turek’s primary win altered the dynamics. It’s shaping up to be an intriguing contest as both sides prepare for what seems to be a tightly contested election.
