Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson for the 2026 Senate race in Iowa. Hinson, a former TV news anchor from Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, has received significant support from Trump and other GOP leaders as she campaigns to replace retiring Senator Joni Ernst. Trump praised Hinson as ‘a WINNER,’ highlighting her dedication to Iowans and alignment with his policies. The endorsement, which follows support from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), solidifies Hinson’s position as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
Hinson’s campaign platform includes key priorities such as secure borders, maintaining the status quo in men’s sports, cutting taxes for working families, supporting Iowa agriculture, and assisting young Iowans in buying homes and starting families. Her campaign launch, which included a kick-off event across Iowa’s 99 counties, has been bolstered by endorsements from several prominent Republican senators and House leaders, including Jim Banks, Katie Britt, Markwayne Mullin, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, Elise Stefanik, and Bobby Kaufmann.
In contrast, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director Maeve Coyle criticized Hinson’s record, highlighting her votes to raise costs for Iowans by slashing Medicaid and supporting tariffs that threaten the state’s economy. Hinson responded by dismissing these claims as misinformation, criticizing the Democratic Party’s messaging and leadership in contrast to her own vision for Iowa and the country.
The race for Iowa’s Senate seat is part of a larger strategy by Republicans to maintain and expand their Senate majority in the 2026 midterm elections. With Democrats already fielding multiple candidates, the contest is seen as a critical test of the GOP’s ability to consolidate support and challenge the Democratic Party in key states. As the campaign season heats up, both sides are mobilizing resources to secure the Senate seat and influence the national political landscape.