Democratic Rep. Josh Turek defeated Trump and Sen. Joni Ernst-backed Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa's U.S. Senate race Tuesday.
When NBC News called the race at around 11:20 p.m., Turek led Hinson 50.9 percent to 46 percent with over 90 percent of the vote counted.
🚨 BREAKING — MAJOR RACE CALL: Iowa Republican Senator Ashley Hinson has been DEFEATED by Democrat Josh Turek
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 4, 2026
Another Democrat FLIP in the US Senate.
This night can't be over soon enough. pic.twitter.com/b4a8ohRXN7
Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist for Team USA and an Iowa state legislator, defeated Hinson in a race that marked a notable shift in Iowa politics. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Iowa AG Sounds Alarm About Possibility Taxpayers Were On Hook To Benefit China)
Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate seat in the state since 2008, when former Democrat Sen. Tom Harkin held the seat.
The race quickly emerged as a competitive contest, with outlets such as the Cook Political Report rating it a toss-up.
Turek centered his campaign on reaching rural voters and addressing economic concerns, healthcare, the impact of tariffs on farmers, and public education.
He also stressed his willingness to work with anyone, including President Donald Trump, on issues where they agree, such as border security and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.
Since Turek announced his candidacy for the open seat in August 2025, his campaign drew support from two prominent Democrats: former President Barack Obama, who endorsed him in a campaign video in late July 2026, and Harkin, an early supporter who repeatedly joined him on the campaign trail, most recently canvassing in Le Mars on Nov. 2, according to a CBS News report.
Iowans are being squeezed and shouldn’t have to foot the bill at the pump or the checkout line for the war in Iran. We need to use every option at our disposal to provide some relief from high prices.
— Ashley Hinson (@hinsonashley) September 21, 2026
That includes suspending the gas tax, pausing diesel exports, unleashing E-15…
Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist for Team USA and an Iowa state legislator, defeated Hinson in a race that marked a notable shift in Iowa politics. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Iowa AG Sounds Alarm About Possibility Taxpayers Were On Hook To Benefit China)
Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate seat in the state since 2008, when former Democrat Sen. Tom Harkin held the seat.
The race quickly emerged as a competitive contest, with outlets such as the Cook Political Report rating it a toss-up.
Turek centered his campaign on reaching rural voters and addressing economic concerns, healthcare, the impact of tariffs on farmers, and public education.
He also stressed his willingness to work with anyone, including President Donald Trump, on issues where they agree, such as border security and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.
DDHQ Race Update (est. 0% in): Iowa US Senate
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) November 4, 2026
Josh Turek (D): 1,235 (49.5%)
Ashley Hinson (R): 1,223 (49.0%)
Follow more results here:https://t.co/SWWWqUHrzP pic.twitter.com/yDbVSYCQUM
Since Turek announced his candidacy for the open seat in August 2025, his campaign drew support from two prominent Democrats: former President Barack Obama, who endorsed him in a campaign video in late July 2026, and Harkin, an early supporter who repeatedly joined him on the campaign trail, most recently canvassing in Le Mars on Nov. 2, according to a CBS News report.
Both have praised Turek's character, work ethic, and approach to representing Iowa.
Turek spent the final days of the campaign canvassing and rallying across western Iowa, including in Le Mars, and secured an endorsement from the Des Moines Register.
His campaign also faced criticism over an advertisement addressing transgender issues that drew backlash from LGBTQ+ groups, One Iowa Action, and Democrat Iowa State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl — Iowa's first openly transgender state legislator. (RELATED: Heated Senate Race In Iowa Shows Both Parties Eventually Doomed)
Turek will replace incumbent Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not running for re-election and was first elected in 2014. Ernst endorsed Hinson on Jan. 10, 2026.
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