Democrat Josh Turek defeats Republican Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate race, flipping seat
Photo: AxiosDemocrat Josh Turek, a state representative, won Iowa's U.S. Senate race on Tuesday, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson to flip a seat held by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, according to an Associated Press projection. The AP made the call at 10:35 p.m. With an estimated 91 percent of votes counted, Turek had 50.8 percent (643,244 votes), Hinson 46.1 percent (583,403) and Libertarian Thomas Laehn 3.1 percent. Turek, 47, a former Paralympian and state legislator since 2023, is the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Iowa since 2008. Hinson, 43, has served in the House since 2021 and was endorsed by President Trump, who carried Iowa by 13 points in 2024 and rallied there two days before the election. The race tightened amid tariffs, the Iran war, and high fuel and fertilizer prices. More than $90 million was spent on ads through September.
Right-leaning coverage splits. Breitbart's headline is plain, but it leads with vote totals and then Hinson's debate attacks: Turek's 261 missed Iowa House votes, $20,100 in per diem payments, and his immigration stance, citing Sarah Root's death. The Daily Mail frames the result as Trump's "nightmare" and a blow to the GOP, adding Obama's ad for Turek, Trump's remark on Hinson's weight, and Turek's attacks on her tariff and war votes. Left-leaning CBS emphasizes Turek's Paralympic background and bipartisan record, and Hinson's balancing of loyalty to Trump with pushing back. It cites tariffs, the war and fuel prices. NPR gives only the AP call. Both sides cite tariffs and the war; only Breitbart details the per diem and missed votes. Axios, an independent outlet, alone says the win seals Democratic Senate control.
How the sides differ Right sources highlight Trump's setback and attacks on Turek's record; left sources stress tariffs, war, fuel prices and his bipartisan pitch.
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CBS News leads with Turek's win, his Paralympic and bipartisan background, and how tariffs, the Iran war and fuel prices tightened the race; NPR briefly reports the AP call.
Al Jazeera reports the flip and Turek's Paralympic career; Axios calls it an upset that gives Democrats Senate control and signals backlash against Republicans.
Breitbart centers on vote counts and Hinson's debate attacks over Turek's missed votes, per diem and immigration stance; the Daily Mail frames it as a blow to Trump, citing Obama's ad, tariffs and Trump's weight remark.