Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek secured their parties’ nominations for the U.S. Senate race in Iowa, setting up a November general election to replace GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking reelection.
What happened
On June 2, Hinson was projected to win the Republican primary over former state Sen. Jim Carlin. Hinson, who has represented Iowa’s House district since 2021, received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, solidifying her position as the GOP frontrunner. She emphasized her commitment to Iowa values and promised to defeat Turek in the general election.
Democrat Josh Turek won his primary against state Sen. Zach Wahls. Turek, a former Paralympic wheelchair basketball player and representative from a conservative Iowa district, positioned himself as a moderate candidate focused on electability in the red-leaning state. He drew support from a range of endorsers, including moderate and some progressive lawmakers, and criticized Hinson for not representing Iowa’s values.
Both candidates highlighted contrasting visions, with Turek addressing economic concerns and bipartisan cooperation, while Hinson pledged loyalty to conservative policies and the Trump agenda.
Why it matters
This race is significant as Iowa has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 2008 and was carried decisively by Trump in 2024. The seat’s open status makes it a prime target for both parties amid shifting political dynamics, especially given voter concerns about the economy and national policies. The campaigns’ tone reflects broader tensions within and between parties, highlighting divisions over strategy and ideology ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Financially, the contest has attracted substantial investments, with Senate Leadership Fund (GOP) reserving $29 million in ads and Democratic Senate Majority PAC reserving $13.4 million for television advertising. Political analysts currently rate the race as likely Republican, though the contest could become more competitive with Turek as the nominee.
Background
Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican, announced she would not seek reelection in 2026, opening a rare open seat in Iowa’s Senate delegation. The state has trended Republican in federal elections, with Trump winning by 13 points in 2024. Within the Democratic primary, the contest illustrated internal party debates between progressive and moderate factions, with Turek positioning himself as the more electable moderate against Wahls, who emphasized progressive and anti-establishment themes. Iowa’s 2026 Senate race will test whether Democrats can break the GOP hold on the state amid national and local political shifts.
Sources
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