Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek clash in Iowa Senate race

Republican Representative Ashley Hinson and Democratic challenger Josh Turek are engaged in a heated debate during their 2026 Iowa U.S. Senate race. Hinson has accused Turek of neglecting his legislative duties, claiming he missed 58% of votes in the Iowa Legislature this year, including key votes on the Iowa Farm Bill. She suggested Turek should return his taxpayer-funded per diem due to this absenteeism.

Turek countered by highlighting Hinson’s own voting record, noting she has missed 193 votes in Congress. He also criticized her for supporting Medicaid cuts, which the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) claims could leave over 110,000 Iowans without healthcare coverage and lead to hospital closures. The debate over healthcare and taxpayer-funded expenses remains a central conflict in the competitive contest to succeed retiring Senator Joni Ernst.