Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson Launches Bid for U.S. Senate Seat

DES MOINES, Iowa - On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Representative Ashley Hinson formally declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Joni Ernst. Hinson, a three-term congresswoman representing Iowa’s 2nd District, made her announcement during an appearance on WHO Radio, pledging to be “President Trump’s top ally in the United States Senate” and to advance an “America First” agenda that includes securing the southern border, cutting taxes, and protecting girls’ sports from male participation.

Hinson’s entry into the 2026 Senate race comes just hours after Senator Ernst confirmed she will not seek a third term. In her announcement, Hinson emphasized her commitment to conservative priorities, stating she would campaign across all 99 Iowa counties beginning with a kickoff event scheduled for this Friday. She highlighted issues such as supporting Iowa agriculture, strengthening entitlement programs for vulnerable populations, and combating what she described as “woke craziness” in education and government.

The congresswoman’s Senate bid has already attracted high-profile endorsements from Republican leaders, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who lauded her as a “steady ally” of former President Trump and an effective advocate for conservative principles. On the Democratic side, state Senator Zach Wahls, state Representative Josh Turek, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris, and chamber executive Nathan Sage have announced campaigns for the open seat.

Hinson first won her congressional seat in 2020 by defeating incumbent Democrat Abby Finkenauer, flipping a northeastern Iowa district that includes Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. She has since secured re-election twice, most recently defeating Democrat Sarah Corkery by more than 15 percentage points.

With Iowa’s Senate race shaping up to be one of the most competitive contests in 2026, both parties will vie to claim the retirement seat. Republicans aim to maintain their narrow Senate majority, while Democrats view the open-seat contest as a prime pickup opportunity in a state that has trended right in recent elections.