Iowa Senate Race Costs Hundreds of Millions in Rare Open Seat
Voters decided Tuesday between Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Ashley Hinson in a contest fueled by agricultural turmoil and high energy prices.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
Hundreds of millions of dollars changed hands in the Iowa Senate race as the state closed polls Tuesday. This open seat is one of the few remaining opportunities for Democrats to flip a chamber majority in the midterm elections. The high cost reflects the intensity of a contest that lacked an incumbent advantage.
Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Ashley Hinson competed to replace retiring two-term Sen. Joni Ernst. Iowa has voted reliably red since President Barack Obama won the state in 2012. However, the state shifted back to battleground status this year as President Donald Trump’s popularity declined during his second term.
The cycle marked the first time since 1968 that no incumbent sought the top-of-the-ticket seats. The retirements of Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds allowed Democrats to launch a heavily funded ground game. They aimed to capitalize on voter frustration with rising prices, the Iran war, and tariffs that disrupted the state’s agricultural economy.
Turek, a two-term state representative and former Paralympian, sought to continue the legacy of late Sen. Tom Harkin. Born with spina bifida, Turek credited Harkin’s work on the Americans with Disabilities Act for his own success. He received an endorsement from Obama following his primary victory.
Hinson is serving her third term in the U.S. House after previously working as a state representative and news anchor. She launched her bid on the same day Ernst announced her retirement and quickly secured endorsements from Trump and party leaders. Her campaign shifted from positioning her as Trump's top ally to focusing on bipartisan cooperation.
In September, Hinson stated that Iowans should not pay for the ongoing war in Iran as fuel costs rose. She declined to join Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks in voting with Democrats on a resolution to limit military action. She argued that the resolution was not the best method to end the conflict swiftly and successfully.
Republican-aligned groups and the White House directed substantial resources to Iowa in the final weeks. The president, vice president, and cabinet officials visited the state to support Hinson. Libertarian candidate Thomas Laehn also appeared on the ballot, presenting a potential challenge to the Republican candidate by targeting conservative voters.
Iowa Democrats faced a registration disadvantage as the electorate continues to lean red. Republicans maintain control of state government and the entire federal delegation. The state auditor, Rob Sand, runs against Zach Lahn for governor, adding another layer to the statewide contest.
