2026 Iowa US Senate Voters Guide

Ashley Hinson (R) vs Josh Turek (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 3, 2026

The Candidates

Ashley Hinson

Ashley Hinson

Republican

Josh Turek

Josh Turek

Democrat

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Ban. Sponsored the Life at Conception Act, establishing right to life at fertilization. Opposes taxpayer-funded abortions. Supports the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Is “pro-life.” “We must protect the unborn.”

Josh Turek (D)

Legal. Introduced a bill to repeal Iowa’s six-week “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban. Says the ban is contributing to the state’s healthcare crisis. Opposes the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “Women should make decisions about their reproductive health care, not politicians.”

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Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Ashley Hinson (R)

No. Opposes an SEC proposal requiring companies to disclose climate-related risks to investors, calling it “egregious and outrageous.”  Voted for a bill to end Biden-era clean energy tax credits. Voted to repeal clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Josh Turek (D)

Mostly yes. Calls climate-induced extreme weather, causing a surge in insurance costs, “an existential threat.” Supports restoration of recently expired production tax credits for wind turbines and solar installations. Voted to extend the biodiesel blended fuel tax credit.

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Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Introduced a bill to strengthen gang-related information-sharing between federal agencies and local law enforcement. Introduced a bill to collect data on anti-police attacks and mental health resources for police. “I will always back the blue.” Voted in 2021 against banning no-knock warrants and limiting qualified immunity.

Josh Turek (D)

Voted for a “three strikes” bill imposing 20-year sentences on repeat offenders of serious crimes. “I…believe our criminal justice system needs fundamental reform.” Calls for more support for indigent defense and programs to curb recidivism. Voted to allow a peace officer to file a protection order for someone in danger of domestic abuse.

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Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Cut. Supports “cutting wasteful spending.” Voted to reduce regulations on banks. Voted to maintain a red tape hotline to assist small businesses with regulations. Introduced bill to make a commission to eliminate “onerous” regulations that “drag down our economy.”

Josh Turek (D)

Mostly increase. Supports a federal ban on price gouging on food. Would “repeal cuts to SNAP.” Would simplify permitting “so new affordable housing can be built faster.” Introduced a right to repair bill for Iowa farmers. Would “crack down on monopolies in agribusiness and meatpacking.”

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Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Yes. Sponsored a bill giving federal tax credits for donations to private school scholarships, then voted for it. Supported an expansion of Iowa’s school voucher program, allowing every student, regardless of income, to apply for a public-funded scholarship to attend private school.

Josh Turek (D)

No. Said he would “end school vouchers that waste taxpayer dollars and benefit the richest.” Would “increase funding to public schools.” Introduced a bill to repeal Iowa’s school voucher program, which provides public funding to send students to private schools, regardless of income.

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Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Mostly loosen. Voted to reduce the scope of the Clean Water Act. Voted to repeal an EPA rule that reduced air pollutants. Voted to remove Clean Air Act review of federal construction projects. Voted to remove pesticide supportive policies from the Farm Bill. Voted in 2021 against limiting the release of PFAS into the environment. Introduced a bill to improve flood and drought mitigation.

Josh Turek (D)

Tighten. Says the “water quality crisis” is “driving” Iowa’s “cancer crisis.” Supports “cracking down on chemical companies that pollute our water supply.” Introduced a bill to fund an Iowa water quality monitoring network. Opposed a Supreme Court decision shielding agrochemical manufacturer Bayer from lawsuits over the link between Roundup and cancer.

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Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Loosen. I will always make sure that law-abiding Iowans’ Second Amendment Rights are upheld.” Voted in 2021 against expanding background checks. Sponsored a bill to allow concealed carry of guns across state lines. Voted against a ban on assault weapons. Introduced a bill to eliminate the sales tax on firearms.

Josh Turek (D)

Mixed. Voted to lower the age to purchase a gun in Iowa from 21 to 18. Said he often votes for “gun rights protections.” Voted against allowing licensed school employees to carry weapons at school. Voted against permitting lawful gun owners to have a concealed weapon in their vehicle while at a school.

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Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Mixed. Voted against extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies for 3 years. Voted for a bill that cut Medicaid. Introduced a bill to have Medicare expand wellness visits in rural areas. Voted to reauthorize substance use and mental health programs. Would protect people with pre-existing conditions from being denied healthcare.

Josh Turek (D)

Increase. Healthcare is a human right.” Would restore Medicaid funding & Affordable Care Act subsidies. Introduced a bill to cap insulin prices at $25 a month. Introduced a bill to have Medicaid cover dental services. Calls for a “public option.” Would “invest in mental health care.” Supports enhancing healthcare for people with disabilities.

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Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Voted to build 900 miles of border wall, limit asylum, and require E-Verify for new employees. Supports “deporting…criminal illegal immigrants. ”Voted to increase ICE funding by $75 billion, then for $70 billion more for DHS. Voted against a path to permanent residency for Dreamers.

Josh Turek (D)

Would pass a bill “that strengthens our borders and simplifies an earned pathway to citizenship.” Supports deporting “those…here illegally and commit crimes.” Voted to create a state-level immigration crime of “illegal reentry.” Would not fund DHS “without significant ICE reform.”

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Iran

Support the war in Iran?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Yes. Said Trump “is taking decisive action…to protect American interests from the tyrannical Iranian regime.” “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” Voted five times against requiring Congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran.

Josh Turek (D)

No. Sayswhile…the Iranian regime is brutal and repressive…an attack that could drag the U.S. into a long, costly conflict should not happen without Congressional approval.” Says the war in Iran “has no end in sight and no clear objective” and is causing fertilizer prices to increase.

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Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Harder. In 2021, voted against the PRO Act, expanding and protecting employees’ organizing and bargaining rights. Voted against restoring federal employees’ collective bargaining rights.

Josh Turek (D)

Easier. We need strong unions to push back against corporate consolidation and keep workers safe.” Supports the PRO Act “to strengthen our unions and protect collective bargaining.”

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LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Mostly limit. Voted to ban transgender students from participating in women’s and girls’ sports. Voted to put same-sex marriage into federal law. In 2021 voted against a bill that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Josh Turek (D)

Mixed. Sponsored a bill to include same-sex marriage in Iowa law. Voted against a bill ending state civil rights protections for transgender people. Opposes gender affirming surgeries for minors. Opposes “biological males…compet[ing] against females in sports.”

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Ashley Hinson (R)

No. In 2021 opposed raising the federal minimum to $15: “This would crush our rural economy and I will fight this every step of the way.” Said a $15 wage was a “death wish” for small businesses.

Josh Turek (D)

Yes. Would sponsor a bill to “raise the minimum wage and ensure it continues to raise with inflation.” Introduced an IA bill to ensure workers with disabilities are paid the federal minimum.

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Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Lower. Voted to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which included the largest one-time cut in the corporate tax rate and tax cuts for the very wealthy. Voted against a bill to raise taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals.

Josh Turek (D)

Raise. Would end tax “loopholes for billionaires and big corporations.” Supports requiring wealthy people to pay more taxes toward Social Security. “Without question, we have to tax billionaires and large corporations.”

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Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Ashley Hinson (R)

Mostly harder. Sponsored a 2025 bill to require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in a federal election. Voted for a 2026 version. Voted against a 2021 bill requiring certain states to get preapproval for changes in voting practices. “It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat.”

Josh Turek (D)

Easier. Opposed a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act, which requires certain states to get preapproval for changes in voting practices. Would make Election Day a state holiday. “I will fight like hell to ensure each and every voter has equal access to the ballot box.”

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