Iowa U.S. Senate candidates disagree on range of issues

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(The Center Square) –  U.S. Senate candidates in Iowa disagree on a range of issues, from tariffs to energy and healthcare costs.

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, and Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek are battling for the seat as concerns about inflation mount across the country. The Iowa U.S. Senate battle is one of seven The Cook Political Report ranks as a “toss up,” meaning either party has a good chance of winning.

The candidates disagree on President Donald Trump’s plans to increase domestic oil production and enter a sanctions agreement with Russia to lower energy costs. Turek slammed Trump’s efforts to reduce sanctions with Russia.

Instead, he called on implementing temporary gas and diesel tax suspensions, opening up the country's strategic oil reserves and ending the U.S. military conflict in Iran.

“Everywhere I go I hear from Iowans telling me they're worried about keeping food on the table, a roof above their head, paying their electric bill, and being able to keep gas in the tank because of this war in Iran,” Turek said on social media.

Hinson has publicly rebuffed the president’s deal to lower sanctions against Russia. She also introduced a policy plan to lower energy prices, which included a diesel rebate program Trump advanced.

“I’m not sure, frankly, that he’s always happy when we’re talking because I ask him for a lot of things for Iowa when we’re on the phone,” she said at a campaign event alongside the president.

The president called Hinson “such a pain” later at the same event.

Bernie Hayes, chair of the Linn County Republican Party, told The Center Square that financial pain over high gas prices can be solved through budget management.

“I don't think it's as painful as the other side wants to make it,” Hayes told The Center Square. “Farmers, they're amazing. I think they see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's not so dire.”

The two candidates also are at odds on the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Hinson touted the policies as leveling trade agreements between the United States and foreign countries. She said the policies helped to bring construction of a $15 billion Mesabi Metallic steel mill to the state by 2030.

“The administration’s pro-American manufacturing policies are incentivizing companies to invest, build, and create jobs in the U.S,” Hinson said. “We thank Gov. [Kim] Reynolds for her leadership in making Iowa a great place to do business and ensuring our state benefits from these policies by attracting transformational investments like this one.”

Turek has remained cautiously optimistic of the steel mill and critical of the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Essar Group, an India-based company behind construction of the steel mill, previously developed projects in Minnesota that faced backlogs and delays.

“I look forward to seeing the planned details of the steel mill,” Turek said.

Hinson dismissed concerns over a building timeline for the mill. She said issues in Minnesota dealt with mining regulations and environmental concerns that prevented development.

“We have immense natural resources in this country, and we had people who didn’t want to see us take advantage of that here at home. And I think those headwinds were a lot to try to overcome 10 plus years ago,” Hinson said in a statement.

Turek slammed Hinson for advancing the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” legislation that adopted work requirements for Medicaid recipients and federal beneficiaries. He said the legislation unjustly cut benefits for millions of Americans across the country and that he would work to reverse it.

“Josh has been on the front lines of fighting for better health care. He has sponsored legislation to cap insulin costs at $25/month, to expand access to dental services under Medicaid, to protect patients in nursing homes, and to eliminate long waiting lists for Medicaid home and community-based services waivers,” Turek’s website reads.

Hinson hailed passage of the legislation in July 2025. She said it would reduce taxes for working class families and prevent fraud in federal benefit programs.

“Republicans under President Trump are ending taxes on tips and hiring border patrol agents. Nearly 80 million Americans voted for this commonsense, conservative agenda, and I’m proud to work with President Trump to deliver a stronger, safer, and more prosperous America and Iowa,” Hinson said in a July 2025 statement.

Turek holds a fundraising advantage with more than $20.1 million in campaign contributions compared to Hinson with $14.1. Turek has more than $3.6 million in cash on hand compared to Hinson with $2.4 million.

Turek received $2.1 million from ActBlue, a campaign fundraising platform for Democratic candidates that's been under investigation by Congress, $62,000 from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and $5,000 from the International Electrical Workers PAC.

Hinson received more than $2.1 million from the Ashley Hinson Victory Committee, $33,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC and $8,000 from the Republican Jewish Coalition PAC.

Early in-person voting is ongoing until Nov. 1. Polls are open in Iowa from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. For more information visit the Secretary of State, at sos.iowa.gov. For updated results on Election Day, visit thecentersquare.com/iowa.