The story so far
- Hinson and Turek Clash as Iowa Senate Race Tightens5 sources
- Turek Projected to Win Iowa Senate Seat Over HinsonYou are hereLatest
Updated 59m ago · Politics
Turek Projected to Win Iowa Senate Seat Over Hinson
Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson Tuesday to win Iowa's open Senate seat. The seat is held by retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.
- 50.8% to 46.1% was Turek's lead when the AP called the race.
- 13 points was Trump's 2024 margin in Iowa.
- $200 million went into the race from candidates and outside groups.
- 2008 was the last time Iowa elected a Democrat to the Senate.
Why it matters: Axios and the Washington Examiner report the seat gives Democrats Senate control. NBC News described it as a boost in the fight for the majority.
- Majority control would let Democrats set the Senate schedule and shape nominations.
- Turek campaigned on tariffs, the Iran war, and fuel and diesel prices.
How 29 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean
29 sources · 30 articles · 41% Right coverage
Where they split: Coverage differs on whether Hinson lost mainly to Trump's unpopular policies or to her own campaign missteps.
Center coverage, 8 sources: The center sees a major upset signaling backlash, made worse by a string of Hinson stumbles in October.
Axios3hJosh Turek delivers flips control of Senate with Iowa upsetBloomberg3hJosh Turek Wins Iowa Senate Election in Key Democratic PickupNewsweek2hJosh Turek Defeats Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate RaceNOTUS3hJosh Turek Wins Iowa Senate Seat in a Major Flip for Democrats - The Washington SunNPR3hDemocrat Josh Turek wins the Senate seat in IowaPBS NewsHour21hLive Results: Iowa Senate midterm electionThe Hill3hDemocrat Josh Turek flips Senate seat in IowaUSA Today2hTurek's Iowa win exposes the trap Trump set for Republicans | Opinion
Left coverage, 9 sources: The left sees Turek tying Hinson to Trump's trade war and the Iran war, which voters rejected over costs.
NBC News3hJosh Turek flips Iowa Senate seat, giving Democrats a boost in the fight for the majorityAl Jazeera2hDemocrat Josh Turek flips Iowa Senate seatAlterNet3hIowa Senate race projected to flip to Democrat Josh TurekCBS News3hJosh Turek wins Iowa 2026 Senate election, CBS News projects, flipping seat for DemocratsDaily Kos2hDemocrat Turek triumphs in Iowa’s Senate raceMediaite3hDemocrat Josh Turek Defeats Republican Ashley Hinson to take Iowa Senate SeatMother Jones3hJosh Turek flips Iowa Senate seatRaw Story3hIowa elects a Democratic senator for the first time in 18 years as Turek beats HinsonThe New Republic3hDemocrats Even Won a Senate Seat in Iowa—Shout-Out Josh Turek
Right coverage, 12 sources: The right sees a costly loss that hands Democrats the Senate amid fuel prices and Trump's sagging approval.
Washington Examiner2hSarah Trone Garriott ousts Rep. Zach Nunn in Iowa House raceThe Gateway Pundit3hBREAKING: Josh Turek Beats Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate Race – DEMOCRATS FLIP SENATE MAJORITY * The Gateway Pundit * by Jordan ConradsonBreitbart News1hDemocrat Josh Turek Defeats Republican Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate Race Democrat Josh Turek Defeats Ashley Hinson in Iowa Senate RaceDaily Mail3hTrump's Iowa nightmare becomes reality as Republican Ashley Hinson loses to Paralympic champion Josh Turek in another flip for DemocratsNew York Post2hJosh Turek dunks GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson to give Democrats Senate controlNTD2hDemocrat Turek Wins Iowa Senate RaceOne America News9hIowa flips blue: Turek wins Senate raceThe Blaze2hIowa picks a Democrat senatorThe Daily Caller3hTrump-Backed Republican Defeated By Democrat In Iowa Senate RaceThe Daily Wire7hDemocrat Josh Turek Flips Another Middle America Red Senate SeatThe Epoch Times1dDemocrat Turek Wins Iowa Senate RaceTownhall8hJosh Turek Wins the Iowa Senate Seat
What’s next: Turek is set to take the seat when Ernst leaves in 2027.
- Schumer is positioned to return as majority leader and negotiate with Trump on spending.
- Will Democrats' final seat count confirm a clear Senate majority?
- Does Turek's approach carry to other states Trump won in 2024?
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