We Asked This Journalist-Turned-Congresswoman Why Voters Should Give Her Senate Promotion

August 13, 2026 4:43 PM ET The control of the Senate may run through one state in America’s heartland that Democrats are eagerly seeking to flip back after it supported former President Barack Obama twice and then President Donald Trump three times.Republican Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic State Rep. Josh Turek are vying to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in a Hawkeye State race the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates “Lean R.” As she gears up for a blockbuster general election, the Republican nominee spoke about her state’s “common sense values” and addressed criticism that a pork bill she introduced was a gift to Communist China.“In my congressional district we have eight of those pivot counties. Counties that voted for President Obama and then swung to President