Summary
- Rep.
Ashley Hinson announced 2026 Senate run. - She
aims to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst. - Promises
to be Trump’s top Senate ally. - Supports
secure borders and tax cuts. - Plans
statewide campaign across all 99 counties.
Hinson said she plans to travel to each of Iowa’s 99
counties as part of her campaign, starting this week.
“My priorities have been Iowans’ priorities,”
Hinson said in a Sept. 2 radio interview announcing her decision.
“I
continue to hear those every single day as I’m out in my congressional district
and soon to be the entire state. And I’m running to be President Trump’s top
ally in the United States Senate, because we have to be working on continuing
to deliver that America First agenda that is working for Iowans every single
day.”
“I look forward to getting out and having those
conversations about how we can continue to put Iowa first and put America
first, and I will make sure that we are delivering on that America First agenda
in the United States Senate,”
she said.
The news came just hours after Sen. Ernst announced that,
“after a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection,” she would not
seek a third term.
As Iowa enters what is anticipated to be a contested
midterm election year, the events once again upend the state’s political
landscape.
Iowa’s Senate and gubernatorial contests are open since
Ernst and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds decided not to run for reelection.
Additionally, as national Democrats target three of Iowa’s U.S. House
districts, Hinson’s exit from her seat in the 2nd Congressional District adds
another elite race without an incumbent.
Prior to her election to Congress in 2020, Hinson, a former
TV news anchor for KCRG in Cedar Rapids, served two terms in the Iowa House of
Representatives. She turned the seat in favor of Republicans that year by
defeating U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer, a Democrat who had been in office.
Hinson teased the announcement in a social media post
earlier Sept. 2.
“As we look forward, President Trump needs a fighter in
the Senate who will always have his back to continue to cut spending, deport
illegal aliens, and put working families first,”
Hinson wrote.
“I’ve
stood shoulder to shoulder with the President to pass this America First agenda
in the House and I would be his strongest ally in the Senate.”
There are now two Republican contenders for the U.S. Senate.
Jim Carlin, a former state lawmaker who mounted a failed
primary race against U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley in 2022, has already said that
Ernst would be his Republican primary candidate.
Prior to Ernst’s decision, Joshua Smith, a former
Libertarian candidate for public office, declared that he would run as a
Republican in 2026.
Additionally, five Democrats have declared their intention
to run for the U.S. Senate. Among them are former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce
Director Nathan Sage, former state politician Bob Krause, state Senator Zach
Wahls, state Representative Josh Turek, and Jackie Norris, chair of the Des
Moines School Board.
The choice by Hinson to run for the U.S. Senate creates the
possibility of a fierce primary to replace her in the 2nd District.
Although a sizable field of potential candidates is
anticipated, no Republican has entered the contest as of yet.
Shortly after Hinson declared that she is “seriously
considering” running for the 2nd District, state representative Shannon
Lundgren, a Republican from Peosta, made a social media post.
How might Hinson’s pledge to be Trump’s top ally affect her
appeal to moderate Iowa voters?
Experts and analysts suggest that Hinson’s close alignment
with Trump, especially her vocal support for his agenda and frequent praise,
could alienate moderate and independent voters in Iowa who may view Trump as
divisive. Her hardline MAGA stance might reduce her appeal to suburban and
swing voters seeking a more centrist approach.
On the other hand, Hinson’s pledge will strongly resonate
with Trump supporters and the Republican base in Iowa, where Trump remains very
popular.
Some town halls and public events in her current
congressional district have shown pushback from constituents frustrated with
Trump policies, suggesting risks for Hinson if she overly embraces Trump
without addressing local concerns.
