Iowa Senate Election 2026
Joni Ernst (R) is retiring. Rating: Toss-up.
Status: upcoming. Election day is November 3, 2026.
Candidates
| Candidate | Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Turek | Democratic | State representative |
| Ashley Hinson | Republican | U.S. Representative |
Polls
| Date | Pollster | Josh Turek | Ashley Hinson |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2026 | Trafalgar (R) | 44.2% | 45.9% |
| October 12, 2026 | YouGov | 47% | 46% |
| October 11, 2026 | Marist | 48% | 45% |
| October 6, 2026 | Emerson | 45% | 47% |
| October 5, 2026 | SSRS | 43% | 45% |
| October 4, 2026 | Suffolk | 48% | 44% |
| October 1, 2026 | NYT/Siena | 47% | 48% |
| September 30, 2026 | Rasmussen (R) | 47% | 43% |
| September 29, 2026 | Quantus (R) | 47% | 49% |
| September 28, 2026 | Fox News | 49% | 47% |
| September 23, 2026 | InsiderAdvantage (R) | 47% | 46% |
| September 20, 2026 | Marist | 50% | 42% |
| September 18, 2026 | Trafalgar (R) | 42% | 44% |
| September 16, 2026 | co/efficient (R) | 42% | 46% |
| September 11, 2026 | Cygnal (R) | 43% | 43% |
| September 10, 2026 | Rasmussen (R) | 45% | 40% |
| September 8, 2026 | YouGov | 47% | 43% |
Average of the undefined most recent polls: Josh Turek 46.1%, Ashley Hinson 45.8%. Polls are snapshots, not predictions.
Where the candidates stand
Josh Turek (D)
- Introduced a bill to repeal Iowa's six-week abortion ban. (2026-01-23) source
- Calls climate-driven extreme weather a serious threat and wants wind and solar tax credits restored. (2026-07-06) source
- Would end Iowa's school vouchers; introduced a bill to repeal the program. (2026-10) source
- Backs a public health insurance option and restoring Medicaid and ACA subsidies. (2026-10) source
- Supports border security paired with an earned path to citizenship, and deporting people who commit crimes. (2026-10) source
- Opposes the Iran war without congressional approval, saying it has no clear goal and is raising fertilizer prices. (2026-10) source
- Supports the PRO Act and stronger unions. (2026-10) source
- Sponsored an Iowa bill protecting same-sex marriage. (2026-10) source
- Opposes gender-transition surgery for minors. (2026-10) source
- Would sponsor a bill raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation. (2025-02-26) source
- Would close tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations and have the wealthy pay more Social Security tax. (2026-09-10) source
Ashley Hinson (R)
- Cosponsored the Life at Conception Act and opposes taxpayer-funded abortions. (2026-10) source
- Voted against expanding background checks and sponsored interstate concealed carry. (2021) source
- Voted against an assault weapons ban. (2022) source
- Voted for a border wall, asylum limits, E-Verify and more ICE funding. (2026-10) source
- Voted against a 2021 path to legal residency for Dreamers. (2021) source
- Voted to extend the 2017 tax cuts and against higher corporate and income taxes. (2025) source
- Called a $15 federal minimum wage a "death wish" for small businesses. (2021) source
- Voted against the PRO Act. (2021) source
- Voted to end clean energy tax credits. (2025) source
- Supports Trump's military action against Iran; voted five times against requiring congressional approval. (2026) source
- Sponsored federal tax credits for private-school scholarships and backed Iowa's voucher program. (2026-10) source
- Voted to bar transgender students from girls' and women's sports. (2025) source
- Voted to put same-sex marriage into federal law. (2022) source
Sources
- 2026 United States Senate elections (Wikipedia)
- Latest Senate polls (RealClearPolling)
- 2026 election polls (Political.org)
- Cook Political Report Senate ratings
- The Green Papers: 2026 candidates by state
- Cook Political Report Senate overview: South Carolina, Mississippi, Minnesota (Oct. 20, 2026)
- Midterm Elections in Ohio, October 2026 (Marist Poll)
- Midterm Elections in Michigan, October 2026 (Marist Poll)
Ratings, candidates and polls last updated October 24, 2026. Ratings are expert forecasts, not results.