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Hinson, Turek Clash in Iowa Senate Debate as Race Tightens

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 4:11 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Narrow Poll Gap

Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek debated Wednesday night in Iowa for the U.S. Senate seat.
The coverage stresses the race’s narrow polling gap and toss-up rating by analysts, highlighting its Senate control stakes.
Kay Henderson, Erin Murphy and Stephen Gruber-Miller moderated the debate, which aired on Iowa PBS.
Real Clear Politics showed Turek up one point; Cook Report called the race a toss-up.

Left

Tariffs Raise Fertilizer Costs

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek debated Wednesday night in Iowa on the open U.S. Senate seat.
The candidates said tariffs, war spending and Medicaid cuts are hurting Iowa farmers, hospitals and residents, linking Turek’s spina bifida to effects.
Turek warned tariffs have raised fertilizer prices for Iowa farmers.
The One Big Beautiful Bill cut funding, leaving some patients uninsured.

History

Historical Context

The 2026 Iowa Senate race, set for Nov 3, pits Trump-endorsed Rep. Ashley Hinson, who captured 73.9% of the June 2 primary, against state Rep. Josh Turek, the Democratic nominee. It follows Joni Ernst’s 2014 upset of Bruce Braley—the first Republican win for the seat since 1978—and a state trend in which Democrats have not won a Senate race since 2008.

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Narrow Poll Gap

Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek debated Wednesday night in Iowa for the U.S. Senate seat.
The coverage stresses the race’s narrow polling gap and toss-up rating by analysts, highlighting its Senate control stakes.
Kay Henderson, Erin Murphy and Stephen Gruber-Miller moderated the debate, which aired on Iowa PBS.
Real Clear Politics showed Turek up one point; Cook Report called the race a toss-up.

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