--- title: "Turek vs. Hinson: 2026 Iowa Senate race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-ia" updated: "2026-10-07" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Iowa Senate race: Josh Turek (D) vs. Ashley Hinson (R) Rating: Lean R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 7, 2026 The 2026 U.S. Senate election in Iowa features Democratic state Representative Josh Turek facing Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson for the open seat created by incumbent Joni Ernst's retirement. The race hinges on economic policy, agriculture, healthcare access, and government accountability in a state that has trended Republican in recent election cycles. ## Candidates - **Josh Turek** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Josh_Turek) - **Ashley Hinson** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ashley_Hinson) ## Issues ### Cost of Living & Economy Salience: high Turek favors federal price-gouging bans and corporate regulation to reduce costs, while Hinson focuses on tax relief, spending cuts, and market growth. **Josh Turek:** Supports populist middle-class economic relief Turek advocates for middle-class tax cuts, closing corporate tax loopholes, and imposing a federal ban on food price gouging. His platform focuses on capping housing costs by banning private equity firms from purchasing single-family homes and farmland, alongside raising the minimum wage indexed to inflation. - Impose a federal ban on price gouging on groceries - Ban Wall Street private equity firms from purchasing single-family homes and farmland - Raise the minimum wage and tie future increases to inflation - Pass the PRO Act to strengthen unions and collective bargaining > “Life is harder for working class people because Washington is riddled with corrupt politicians who are out of touch and focused on enriching themselves.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports tax cuts and spending restraint Hinson emphasizes lowering taxes for working families and curbing federal spending to reduce inflation. She supports tax-free down payment savings for first-time homebuyers, expanding tax relief for child care, and making middle-income tax cuts permanent. - Pass the First Home Savings Opportunity Act to allow tax-free savings for home down payments - Expand child care tax relief for working families - Cut wasteful federal spending to reduce inflation - Prohibit institutional investors from buying single-family homes in neighborhoods > “Ashley has always believed it is YOUR money, not the government’s money.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Healthcare Salience: high Turek proposes establishing a government public option and capping drug prices, whereas Hinson advocates for market-based pharmacy benefit manager reform and rural hospital support. **Josh Turek:** Supports universal care and public option Turek views healthcare as a fundamental human right and advocates for introducing a public option while expanding ACA subsidies and Medicaid funding. He supports capping insulin and drug costs, eliminating surprise billing, and banning private equity ownership of healthcare and elder care facilities. - Introduce a healthcare public option and expand ACA subsidies - Restore full Medicaid funding for Iowans at risk of losing coverage - Cap insulin costs at $25 per month and lower prescription drug prices - Prohibit private equity firms from purchasing nursing homes and healthcare centers > “Health care is a human right. All Americans deserve access to basic care.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports rural healthcare and market reforms Hinson focuses on strengthening rural health infrastructure and reducing prescription drug costs by holding pharmacy benefit managers accountable. She supports expanding over-the-counter birth control access, expanding maternal healthcare, and supporting community hospitals. - Increase transparency and hold pharmacy benefit managers accountable to lower drug costs - Expand access to over-the-counter birth control - Strengthen rural healthcare by supporting community hospitals and workforce development - Expand maternal healthcare access and preventive care > “No matter where you live in Iowa, you should be able to access quality healthcare without driving hours or worrying about the cost.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Agriculture & Rural Affairs Salience: high Turek focuses on breaking up agribusiness monopolies and opposing tariffs, while Hinson emphasizes rolling back regulations and expanding biofuel production. **Josh Turek:** Supports prairie populism and agribusiness antitrust Turek champions antitrust enforcement to break up agribusiness and meatpacking monopolies, alongside federal Right to Repair legislation for farm equipment. He supports passing a Farm Bill, mandatory country-of-origin labeling, and ending trade tariffs that harm Iowa exporters. - Pass federal Right to Repair legislation for farm equipment - Enact Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling - Crack down on monopolies in agribusiness and meatpacking to lower input costs - End tariffs that negatively impact Iowa agricultural exports > “Iowa’s farmers have been hit hard by the chaotic tariffs and trade policies coming out of Washington, supported by Ashley Hinson.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports farm deregulation and biofuels Hinson focuses on protecting Iowa family farmers from federal regulations and state-level restrictions like California's Proposition 12. She champions the Iowa biofuel industry through year-round E15 authorization, export market expansion, and Farm Bill passage. - Fight regulations like California's Proposition 12 that affect Iowa livestock producers - Champion year-round E15 sales and strengthen biofuel production - Pass a Farm Bill and expand international export markets - Improve voluntary conservation programs for farmland > “Farmers don’t need Washington telling them how to run their operations and handing down regulations, they need an advocate who understands the challenges they face.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Border Security & Immigration Salience: high Turek pairs border enforcement with an earned pathway to citizenship, whereas Hinson focuses exclusively on border security and strict deportation of illegal immigrants. **Josh Turek:** Supports border security and earned citizenship Turek supports bipartisan reform combining border security enforcement with a simplified pathway to legal citizenship. He advocates for deporting undocumented immigrants who commit crimes, curbing fentanyl trafficking, and enforcing accountability standards for ICE agents. - Pass bipartisan immigration reform creating an earned pathway to legal citizenship - Secure the border and deport individuals who enter illegally and commit crimes - Increase measures to stop fentanyl smuggling across the border - Enforce oversight and accountability for ICE agents > “Our immigration system is broken because politicians in Washington refuse to work across the aisle to fix it.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports strict border enforcement and deportations Hinson advocates for strict enforcement of federal immigration laws and securing the U.S. southern border. She supports deporting criminal illegal immigrants, partnering with law enforcement to combat violent crime, and cracking down on drug cartels trafficking fentanyl. - Enforce federal immigration laws and secure the southern border - Deport dangerous criminal illegal immigrants - Crack down on fentanyl traffickers through enhanced law enforcement partnerships > “Every family deserves to feel safe in their home and community. Ashley believes public safety starts with enforcing our laws, supporting law enforcement, and securing our border.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Government Reform & Ethics Salience: medium Both support congressional stock trading bans, but Turek additionally demands banning corporate PAC money and establishing term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court. **Josh Turek:** Supports banning campaign PACs and stock trading Turek advocates for systemic government ethics reforms, including banning stock trading by members of Congress and prohibiting corporate PAC contributions. He supports congressional and Supreme Court term limits, passing the DISCLOSE Act, and amending the Constitution to overturn Citizens United. - Ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks - Ban corporate PAC money in political campaigns - Enact term limits for members of Congress and Supreme Court Justices - Pass the DISCLOSE Act and a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United > “Politicians in Washington like Ashley Hinson have seen their net worth increase while the people they are supposed to serve struggle.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports congressional stock bans and lobbying restrictions Hinson promotes federal ethics restrictions, including banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks or participating in prediction markets. She advocates for federal lobbying bans, relocating federal agencies outside of Washington D.C., and eliminating spending waste. - Ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks and betting on prediction markets - Enact federal lobbying bans for former officials - Relocate federal government agencies outside of Washington D.C. - Root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending > “Ban Members of Congress from trading individual stocks and betting on prediction markets.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Veterans Salience: medium Both candidates pledge full support for veterans' healthcare, but Turek emphasizes expanding PACT Act benefits and deployment restrictions, whereas Hinson focuses on rural VA access. **Josh Turek:** Supports expanding VA funding and PACT Act Turek emphasizes reversing cuts to VA healthcare and staffing, expanding the PACT Act for toxic-exposed veterans, and addressing veteran homelessness. In the state legislature, he passed legislation strengthening the veteran homestead tax credit and supporting military family housing. - Reverse cuts to VA staffing and healthcare services - Expand the PACT Act for veterans exposed to toxic substances - Support legislation requiring congressional war declarations before deploying National Guard troops into active combat - Expand healthcare and mental health benefits for military families > “Josh is the proud son of a veteran, whose service provided the VA health care that Josh relies on.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports expanding rural VA health access Hinson focuses on fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and expanding veterans' healthcare access in rural areas. She supports direct constituent advocacy for veterans and expanding mental health resources. - Fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs - Expand healthcare and mental health access for rural veterans - Provide direct constituent assistance to veterans navigating federal benefits > “The men and women who wore our nation’s uniform kept their promise to America. Ashley believes America must keep its promise to them.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Abortion & Civil Rights Salience: medium Turek supports codifying abortion rights federally, while Hinson focuses on parental rights in education and anti-transgender school policies. **Josh Turek:** Supports codifying Roe v. Wade Turek supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law and protecting access to contraception and IVF nationwide. In the Iowa House, he introduced legislation to repeal the state's near-total abortion ban and defends LGBTQ+ civil rights protections. - Codify Roe v. Wade into federal law - Protect nationwide access to contraception and IVF - Repeal state-level abortion prohibitions - Defend same-sex marriage rights and civil rights protections > “Make Roe v. Wade the law of the land again and protect access to contraception and IVF.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports parental rights and traditional values Hinson emphasizes protecting parental rights in public education and opposing school policies regarding gender identity transitions. She supports expanding access to over-the-counter birth control as part of her healthcare platform. - Protect parental rights and increase transparency in public education - Oppose school policies allowing minors to alter gender identity without parental notification - Support expanded access to over-the-counter birth control > “Protect parents’ rights by giving families a stronger voice in their children’s education and increasing transparency in schools...” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Public Education Salience: medium Turek advocates for eliminating private school vouchers and increasing public school funding, whereas Hinson focuses on technical training and parental oversight. **Josh Turek:** Supports public school funding and ending vouchers Turek opposes private school vouchers, maintaining that public tax dollars should exclusively support public schools and Area Education Agencies (AEAs). He advocates for restoring federal Department of Education funding and increasing public education investment. - End private school voucher programs that divert public funds - Increase federal funding for public schools and local Area Education Agencies - Restore funding for the federal Department of Education - Require state accreditation transparency for nonpublic schools > “Josh has sponsored legislation to repeal school vouchers, because public dollars belong in public schools, and to require the state board of education to be transparent about nonpublic school accreditation.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports parental rights and career training Hinson emphasizes expanding vocational, career, and technical education to connect students directly with Iowa workforce opportunities. She advocates for parental control over school curricula and increased institutional transparency. - Expand career and technical education (CTE) programs - Connect students with local technical training and jobs without requiring four-year degrees - Guarantee parental oversight and transparency in public school systems > “Prepare the next generation for success by expanding career and technical education and connecting students with good-paying Iowa jobs.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ### Disability Rights Salience: medium Turek puts forward specific disability rights legislation like ending subminimum wages and expanding repair rights, while Hinson treats disability employment through general economic growth. **Josh Turek:** Supports disability rights and Right to Repair As the first permanently disabled member of the Iowa legislature, Turek champions disability rights including state wheelchair 'Right to Repair' laws and service animal housing protections. In the Senate, he proposes ending 14C subminimum wage certificates, protecting Section 504 and the ADA, and raising Social Security asset limits for disabled citizens. - End 14C subminimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities - Raise Social Security income and asset limits for disabled individuals - Protect and enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 - Expand wheelchair Right to Repair laws at the federal level > “As the first and only permanently disabled member of the Iowa legislature, Josh has led the charge to support individuals with disabilities in the Iowa House.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports workforce inclusion and opportunity Hinson incorporates workforce opportunity initiatives aimed at expanding local jobs for all workers, including individuals with disabilities, into her broader economic growth agenda. - Promote pro-growth policies that create job opportunities for local workers - Support vocational training and community workforce inclusion > “In Congress, she continues to be a commonsense leader and pursue pro-growth policies.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ashley_Hinson) ### Water Quality & Environment Salience: medium Turek advocates for regulatory enforcement against chemical polluters and water testing, whereas Hinson supports voluntary farm conservation and opposing federal environmental mandates. **Josh Turek:** Supports water quality sensors and polluter accountability Turek links Iowa's high cancer rates directly to agricultural and chemical water contamination, proposing federal funding for water quality sensors and stricter regulations on polluters. He also supports restoring National Institutes of Health funding for cancer research and prohibiting carcinogens in medical equipment. - Fund water quality sensors to monitor supply contamination - Crack down on chemical companies polluting water resources - Restore federal NIH funding for cancer research - Ban medical equipment manufactured with known carcinogens > “Address the water quality crisis that is at the core of our cancer crisis by funding water quality sensors and cracking down on chemical companies that pollute our water supply.” > — Josh Turek, via [Campaign site](https://turek4iowa.com) **Ashley Hinson:** Supports voluntary conservation and energy independence Hinson promotes voluntary conservation programs for farmers over federal environmental mandates. She supports domestic energy independence by expanding homegrown biofuels, including year-round E15 sales. - Improve voluntary land conservation programs for farmers - Push back against burdensome federal environmental regulations - Invest in homegrown biofuels and year-round E15 production > “Protect family farms by pushing back against burdensome regulations, improving voluntary conservation programs, and fighting policies like California’s Proposition 12 that hurt Iowa family farmers.” > — Ashley Hinson, via [Campaign site](https://ashleyhinson.com) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 24._ - Latest poll: InsiderAdvantage, Oct 22, 1200 LV, Hinson +2.0 — Ashley Hinson 47%, Josh Turek 45% - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/iowa-senate-election-winner) — Iowa Senate Election Winner: Republicans 57.5%, Democrats 42.5% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/SENATEIA-26) — Iowa Senate winner?: Ashley Hinson 59.0%, Josh Turek 41.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXIASENATE-26) — Iowa Senate winner? (Person): Ashley Hinson 59.0%, Josh Turek 42.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-ia)