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Turek, Hinson spar in first Iowa Senate debate: 3 takeaways

Turek criticized Hinson’s votes and policies while presenting his own positions on the Iran war, immigration and health care.

Turek, Hinson spar in first Iowa Senate debate: 3 takeaways
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This article1 analysis · Oct 8, 2026
The Hill
Oct 7, 2026
tl;dr

Ashley Hinson and Joshua Turek debated for the first time as they campaign for Iowa’s open Senate seat, clashing over the Iran war, immigration, health care and their records. Their exchanges highlighted a competitive race and the candidates’ efforts to present themselves as bipartisan.

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VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Joshua Turek D · IA
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Turek in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Turek’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Democratic Senate candidate and state representative

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ashley Hinson
R · IA-2

U.S. representative and Republican Senate candidate

Hinson's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States

Former president

Nancy Pelosi
D · CA-11

Former House speaker

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader

Joni Ernst
R · IA · SEN

Iowa senator whose seat is being contested

ALSO MENTIONED  Rob Sand, Democratic Iowa gubernatorial candidate; Zach Lahn, Republican Iowa gubernatorial candidate

Part of a bigger story

24 OUTLETS
Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson Hold First Iowa Senate Debate

Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek held their first debate in Iowa’s open U.S. Senate race, discussing policy differences and their records. Left-leaning outlets preview the campaigns’ efforts to portray each other as out of step, emphasizing Iran, affordability and health care. Center outlets describe a broader clash over policy positions and records. Right-leaning outlets focus on accusations over Turek’s legislative attendance and taxpayer-funded per diem payments.

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