Trump endorses Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate race
President Trump on Friday endorsed GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson (Iowa) for retiring Sen. Joni Ernst’s (Iowa) seat.
“I know Ashley well, and she is a WINNER! A Loving Wife and Proud Mother of two sons, Ashley is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Iowa, and will continue doing so in the United States Senate,” Trump wrote in an evening Truth Social post.
“She is working hard to Create Jobs, Cut Taxes, Promote Products and Services MADE IN AMERICA by our incredible Iowa Workers, Support our Great Farmers and American Agriculture, Champion Innovation, Continue to Help Secure our now very Secure Southern Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” he added in support for the lawmaker.
The president’s endorsement came hours after Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he was backing the three-term Iowa lawmaker, who announced her bid the same day Ernst said she would not be seeking reelection.
“We need conservative fighters in the Senate — and that’s exactly what we’ll get with Ashley Hinson,” Thune said in a statement.
“Ashley has been a fierce advocate of President Trump’s America First agenda and has been instrumental in delivering big wins in the House for Iowans and the American people. I know that she’ll bring with her to the Senate that same unrelenting energy. Ashley has my full support and endorsement.”
Hinson’s campaign already has $2.8 million in funding as she prepares to run against former state Sen. Jim Carlin (R), who challenged Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in the 2022 GOP primary, for the party’s nomination in the 2026 race.
Democratic leaders are hoping to win the seat vacated by Ernst, claiming the Senate’s GOP majority is in trouble with her departure.
“Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ devastating agenda has put their majority in jeopardy,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Democratic Senate Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement.
“Republicans can see the writing on the wall: spiking costs and ripping away health care does so much damage to their states that they would rather leave the Senate than defend their actions to voters. Democrats are in a strong position to win seats and continue fighting for working families.”