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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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With only one day until the midterm elections, Democratic state Representative Josh Turek and Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson have doubled down on affordability as the main issue fueling their campaigns for the hotly contested Iowa U.S. Senate seat.
The Hawkeye State is among several key Senate races unfolding that will determine control of Congress. Democrats are hoping to flip the House and the Senate in their favor, with Republicans trying to fight off a "blue wave" as President Donald Trump's approval ratings continue to slide and Iowa voters express concerns tied to the economy, inflation, rising fuel costs and the Iran war.
Iowa had been thought to be a safe spot for Republicans, having last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 2008 and to the governor's mansion in 2006. The state also backed Trump in all three of his White House runs, including by 13 points in 2024. But as Democrats have gained momentum, the state has become a prime target for the party. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win back control of the Senate and a net gain of three to seize control of the House.
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Hinson, who is endorsed by Trump, and Turek addressed the local economy and Iowans' concerns over affordability in their final messages to voters.
"This is it. Tomorrow is Election Day. For nearly 15 months, we have traveled to all 99 counties, meeting Iowans and hearing what they’re facing," Turek posted to X on Monday. "Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing: Iowans are hurting. Tomorrow, we have a generational chance to change this state and fix this country. Let’s do this."
"Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing: Too many Iowans feel like they’re being priced out of the American Dream," Hinson posted on X on Sunday. "Families are working hard and doing everything right, but their paychecks aren’t going as far as they should. The cost of gas, groceries, housing, healthcare and childcare is stretching family budgets. For too long, politicians in Washington have forgotten how hard people are working."
The congresswoman continued: "I’ve never been interested in partisan talking points when there’s a problem to solve. If there’s a good idea that will lower costs and make life better for Iowa families, I’ll work with anyone to get it done. And when Washington gets it wrong, I won’t be afraid to fight back."
Newsweek reached out to both campaigns by email for comment on Monday.
What Have Turek, Hinson Said on Affordability?
Both candidates have campaigned on the affordability of the American Dream, but should they be elected to Senate, their proposed approaches to the issue are different.
Turek said he would cut taxes for the middle class, impose a federal ban on price gouging on food to lower grocery store prices, and fight to raise the minimum wage, among other efforts.
Hinson, meanwhile, said her focus will be making no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security permanent; make year-round E15 available in the effort to reduce gas prices; and protecting the enhanced child tax credit and stronger childcare provisions, among other efforts.
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Healthcare Emerges as Top Issue
Behind economy, healthcare was a top concern for voters according to an Emerson Polling survey of 650 likely Iowa voters conducted between October 5 and 6. Both candidates have also campaigned hard on this issue, with Turek claiming he plans to restore full funding for Medicaid for Iowans who are at risk of losing health care access because of the One Big Beautiful Bill; cap costs on prescription drug prices; and restore Iowa's abortion laws to the standards that were in place under Roe v. Wade, among other efforts.
Hinson has campaigned hard on holding Big Pharma accountable, claiming she wants to put an end to surprise medical billing for new parents and hopes to "force big health insurance companies to publish claim delays and denials that hurt patients and seniors."
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Health Care May Be Josh Turek’s Best Weapon Against Ashley Hinson
Josh Turek vs. Ashley Hinson: What Latest Polls Show
New polls released shortly before Election Day gave Turek a narrow lead over Hinson. The candidates have been neck-and-neck throughout their entire campaigns.
- New York Times/Siena University: One of the newest polls that came out ahead of Election Day was conducted between October 26 and November 1 and surveyed 705 likely voters. Turek had a one-point lead over Hinson at 48 percent to 47 percent. Five percent of those surveyed said they didn't know who they planned to vote for.
- YouGov: Turek also had a narrow lead over Hinson in a YouGov poll conducted between October 26 and 29 that surveyed 2,016 likely voters. Fifty percent of the polltakers said they planned to vote for Turek, with 49 percent saying Hinson.
What Happens Next
Early voting in Iowa will continue through Monday. On Tuesday for Election Day, polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. local time. As long as voters are in line by the time that polls closed, they will be allowed to vote.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Anna Skinner and Anthony Murray.
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