Hinson and Turek spar over health care and Iran war in first Iowa Senate debate

Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek met Wednesday night in the first debate of the race for Iowa's open Senate seat, CNN, The Hill, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported. The two are running to replace retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. CNN said the candidates disagreed on health care funding, the future of Social Security and lowering gas and diesel prices, while The Hill said health care cuts, agriculture, and each candidate's voting record and attendance were significant topics. The New York Times said the issues ranged from Medicaid to term limits. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]

Turek argued that federal policies were hurting Iowans, CNN reported, usually without naming President Trump. He said tariffs had driven up prices of fertilizer and other farm inputs, that the war with Iran had sent diesel prices soaring, and that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut funding for rural hospitals and left some Iowans who relied on Medicaid or Obamacare subsidies without coverage. According to The Hill, Turek criticised Hinson for her early support of the war and of Trump's tariffs, saying diesel prices were at an all-time high as farmers enter harvest. "I certainly don't want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon, but we have to end this war," he said. He also compared the war to Vietnam, citing his father's exposure to Agent Orange, which caused him to be born with spina bifida. [ 1 , 2 ]

Hinson accused Turek of changing his stance on Trump. "You trashed the president during the primary, and now you're doing ads saying you're going to work with him. It's a tale of two Tureks," she said, according to CNN. The Hill reported that Hinson recently called for the war with Iran to end. Turek said Iowans want lawmakers who will "provide solutions to people's problems through bipartisan policy." [ 1 , 2 ]

CNN said Hinson is trying to avoid being tied to Trump's sagging popularity without alienating Republican voters loyal to him, while Turek must win over some Trump voters in a state Trump carried by 13 points in 2024. Polls show a tight race, and The Hill said nonpartisan analysts rate it a toss-up. The Hill reported that $90 million has been spent on advertising, the sixth-most of any Senate contest. Hinson, 43, was a broadcast journalist before running for office in 2017; Turek, 47, is a professional wheelchair basketball player. The debate followed one the night before between gubernatorial candidates Rob Sand (D) and Zach Lahn (R), The Hill said. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]