Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson debates Democrat Josh Turek in final Senate face-off
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The gist
Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek held their second Iowa Senate debate.
The open seat could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.
Background
Ashley Hinson is a Republican U.S. Representative for northeast Iowa and the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate; Josh Turek is a Democratic Iowa state representative and the Democratic nominee. They are competing for the open Iowa Senate seat left by retiring Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a race political forecasters rate a toss-up and which could help determine which party controls the chamber. The second debate was the final one before the November 3 election, and early voting has begun.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026An Emerson College Polling and The Hill poll showed Hinson leading Turek 47 percent to 45 percent, with 7 percent undecided; voters were surveyed October 5-6, before the first debate.
- Oct 12, 2026Hinson discussed Affordable Care Act credits, farming and Social Security in a Beyond the Podium interview.
- Oct 13, 2026Hinson, joined by Iowa law enforcement and members of the National Border Patrol Council, held a news conference in Urbandale.
- Oct 13, 2026Hinson and Turek held their second Iowa Senate debate, hosted by WHO 13 and Nexstar Media Group.
- Oct 14, 2026Hinson said she disagreed with a deal President Trump struck with Russia to import 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and global marketplace.
- Oct 14, 2026Hinson brought her Senate campaign to Sioux City.
- Oct 15, 2026KTTC conducted a one-on-one interview with Hinson.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Hinson said she would consider extending ACA premium tax credits if guardrails and income caps were included, does not support cuts to Social Security benefits, and would serve as both an ally and, when necessary, a critic of President Trump.
- Party
- Turek said he is campaigning across all 99 counties and has done hundreds of in-person town halls, while Hinson has not done a single in-person town hall and missed 193 votes.
- Analysts
- Political forecasters rate the race a toss-up, with Decision Desk HQ stating Hinson is narrowly favored over Turek.
Still unverified
Hinson said "we think there is some funny business happening in the fertilizer markets."