Republicans Quickly Unify Around Ashley Hinson’s Senate Run To Succeed Retiring Joni Ernst

Republicans are quickly getting behind Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson’s 2026 campaign as she vies to become the Hawkeye State’s next senator following Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst’s decision to retire.

Hinson netted two major endorsements on Friday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chairman Tim Scott publicly supporting her Senate run. The backing of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm — in addition to a slate of endorsements from House and Senate GOP leadership that Hinson rolled out on Tuesday to mark her campaign announcement — could help the Iowa Republican cruise to the general election contest with commanding party support.

“Having traveled Iowa with Ashley, I know she is the fighter the Hawkeye State needs to deliver President Trump’s agenda in 2026 and beyond,” Scott said in a statement. “Iowans are all-in for Ashley Hinson, and that’s why the NRSC and I are proud to stand with my friend, a proven conservative and staunch Trump ally.”

Hinson, a former TV news anchor, has served in Congress since 2021 while representing a northeast Iowa district. She defeated her Democratic challenger in 2024 by roughly 60,000 votes despite Iowa’s 2nd congressional district having less than 30,000 more active Republican registered voters than Democrats.

The NRSC circulated a memo on Wednesday touting Hinson’s strength as a candidate in the Iowa Senate race. The memo stopped short of fully endorsing Hinson’s candidacy, but argued that Hinson would easily beat any Democratic contenders in the race.