Trump Endorsed
Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
45.2%
43.7%
43.3%
Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
$28.0K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age42 years old (Jun 27, 1983)
GenderFemale
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LocationIowa
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationUniversity of Southern California — B.A., Broadcast Journalism (2004)
Notable personal detailsAshley Elizabeth Hinson is a Republican politician and former television journalist serving as the U.S. Representative for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District (in office since January 3, 2021; the district was numbered IA-01 during her first term). She previously served in the Iowa House of Representatives (2017–2021) and worked as a reporter/anchor for KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids. She earned a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Southern California. She is married to Matt Arenholz and they have two sons.
SourcesShowHide
hinson.house.goven.wikipedia.orgcookpolitical.comashleyhinson.comde.wikipedia.orgthegreenpapers.comiowacapitaldispatch.comawpc.cattcenter.iastate.edues.wikipedia.orgthegazette.comradioiowa.comwashingtonpost.comdscc.orgkcrg.combreitbart.compolitico.comhinsonforgovernor.comfoxnews.combloomberg.comseattletimes.comradio.foxnews.comcl.linkedin.comnoticias.foxnews.comaxios.combo.linkedin.combusiness.linkedin.comstatic.votesmart.orgstatic.foxnews.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgclerk.house.govcongress.govfec.govbioguide.congress.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orghistory.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports extending and making permanent provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and other tax cuts, promotes lowering taxes for working families and small businesses, and emphasizes reining in federal spending and balancing the budget. Backed recent Republican tax-and-spending legislation described by her campaign and public statements as preventing tax increases and delivering tax relief to families and small businesses.
Healthcare
Opposes expanding government-run health coverage and criticizes the Affordable Care Act; supports Republican legislation that would reduce federal Medicaid spending and favors market-based approaches to lowering costs. Has voted against extensions of enhanced ACA premium tax credits and described insurance as not something the government must provide to every American.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes stronger border security and increased immigration enforcement, including empowering ICE and deporting individuals she describes as dangerous. She has supported legislation to exclude noncitizens from census apportionment, backed measures to limit asylum and end “catch and release,” and voted for laws to prevent noncitizen voter registration while expressing support for targeted fixes like DACA for some DREAMERs.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports pro-life policies and has opposed federal protections for abortion access. She has cosponsored legislation that would grant legal personhood at conception and would effectively ban abortion nationwide. She has expressed support for Iowa’s restrictive abortion laws and opposed the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Climate & Energy
Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy that includes renewables (especially Iowa wind and biofuels) while promoting expanded domestic fossil fuel and nuclear production, reducing regulatory barriers, and advocating for increased use of ethanol (E15).
Public Safety & Guns
Supports protecting Second Amendment rights and opposes broad federal gun-control measures; has sponsored legislation to remove the $200 NFA transfer tax and backed concealed-carry reciprocity and other measures expanding gun-owner rights. Emphasizes support for law-abiding gun owners while opposing what she calls sweeping anti-firearm regulations.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 19, 2026
Ashley Hinson is emerging as the likely Republican nominee in Iowa’s open U.S. Senate race, with her primary against Jim Carlin set for June 2. National Republicans are backing her heavily, including a planned $29 million spending push, while Democrats are preparing a $13.4 million ad campaign to attack her record on tariffs and the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill.’ Hinson has also launched her first TV ad in the race and reported a strong fundraising lead over her rivals.
hinson.house.gov+36
Articles
TNThe New Yorker2 days ago
Can the Democrats Take Back the Senate?
Neutral
SCSioux City Journal4 days ago
Woodbury County Auditor & Recorder - Ad from 2026-05-16
Neutral
DMDes Moines Register5 days ago
National Democrats to spend $13M targeting Hinson in Iowa Senate race
Negative
DMDes Moines Register7 days ago
Ashley Hinson launches first TV ad in 2026 US Senate race
Positive
Polls
Iowa Senate winner? (Person)
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Ashley Hinson for Iowa Republican Senate nominee?
Donald Trump
Public figure
Donald Trump endorsed Ashley Hinson for the 2026 Iowa Senate race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2024Total raisedCash on hand
$7.2M
$5.4M
$3.6M
$1.8M
$0
2022
2024
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$7.2M
$68.4K
$7.2M
$301.7K
Cycle 2024
$5.6M
$1.9M
$3.7M
$155.9K
Source: FEC