Trump endorses Rep. Ashley Hinson’s campaign for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat

The president announced his endorsement on social media

Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Hinson speaks about what it means to her to start off her campaign in her hometown during her campaign kickoff event at Bevy’s Tavern in West Des Moines on Friday. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

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Friday evening — just days after she entered the race for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat — Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

Trump posted the endorsement on Truth Social, saying Hinson has his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

“... Ashley is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Iowa, and will continue doing so in the United States Senate. She is working hard to Create Jobs, Cut Taxes, Promote Products and Services MADE IN AMERICA by our incredible Iowa Workers, Support our Great Farmers and American Agriculture, Champion Innovation, Continue to Help Secure our now very Secure Southern Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” the president wrote.

Iowa’s U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced Tuesday she will not seek a third term in office. Several hours later, Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd District in the U.S. House, announced she would seek election to the Senate.

Hinson shared Trump’s endorsement on X — formerly known as Twitter — Friday, saying she was “honored” to receive it.

Hinson is one of two Republicans running for the nomination to represent the party in the November 2026 senate race. The other is former state lawmaker Jim Carlin, of Sioux City, a staunch pro-Trump conservative who criticized Grassley for not pushing to investigate unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Kelley Koch, past chair of the Dallas County GOP, told The Gazette Friday — before Trump announced his endorsement — that the president’s role in the primary remained uncertain.

“President Trump is looking to expand the House and the Senate,” Koch said. “Jim Carlin’s a formidable candidate, and he is a MAGA candidate. Ashley Hinson … also is MAGA. I’m not sure if [Trump’s] going to let the primary take care of that.”

Iowa’s primary election is June 2, 2026, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.

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