Iowa Senate Race 2026

Compare candidates running in this Iowa federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Thomas Laehn

Party: Libertarian

Zach Wahls

Party: Democrat

Josh Turek

Party: Democrat

Jim Carlin

Party: Republican

Ashley Hinson

Party: Republican

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Iowa Senate Race

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 6, 2026
📊Polling+7.0 Hinson
Limited public polling available. Recent hypothetical matchup polls show Hinson leading both Wahls and Turek, with Hinson at 48% versus Wahls at 41%, and Hinson-Turek at 46-46 (tied). Prediction market odds favor Republicans at 61.5%.
Source: Change Research2026-01-31
48%
Hinson
41%
Wahls
likely r★ Flip Potential— Cook Political Report|Sabato

This open seat contest could be critical for Senate control. Republicans need to hold the seat given their narrow majority, while Democrats view this as a long-shot opportunity in a red state.

Thomas LaehnL
Zach WahlsD
Josh TurekD
Jim CarlinR
Ashley HinsonR

Summary

Thomas Laehn (born 1982, age 43) is the Greene County Attorney (2018-present) and Iowa's first Libertarian elected to a partisan office. A former university professor who taught constitutional law and political philosophy, Laehn is running for U.S. Senate as a Libertarian to challenge what he views as the corruption of the two-party system. He holds a B.A. from Drake University, studied at LSU and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and was a professor at McNeese State University in Louisiana before returning to Iowa. He has been re-elected as Greene County Attorney as a Libertarian in 2022. Laehn is fundamentally opposed to the two-party system and argues that Congress has unconstitutionally delegated vast authority to the presidency, allowing executive orders to shape policy without proper congressional oversight.

Zacharia Wahls (born July 15, 1991) is a Democratic state senator from Coralville currently serving his second term representing the 43rd district. Wahls is the son of two lesbian women and has been a prominent LGBTQ+ activist since giving a viral testimony to the Iowa House in 2011 at age 19 opposing a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. He is an Eagle Scout, co-founder of Scouts for Equality (which successfully lobbied the Boy Scouts to end anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination), and author of a bestselling book about his family. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and a master's degree from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs. He was elected Iowa Senate Democratic Leader from 2020-2023 before resigning over staff disputes. As of early 2026, Wahls is leading in Democratic primary polling significantly ahead of Josh Turek.

Joshua Mark Turek (born April 12, 1979) is a Democratic state representative and two-time Paralympic gold medalist. Born with spina bifida, he was exposed to poverty and relied on public assistance programs growing up. Turek served as a wheelchair basketball player for Team USA at four Summer Paralympics (winning bronze in 2012 and gold in 2016 and 2020). He was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives from the 20th district in 2022 by just six votes after a recount, and was re-elected in 2024 by a wider margin. As the Iowa legislature's first permanently disabled member, Turek represents one of the reddest districts in Iowa where Trump won by 10+ points in 2024, yet he outperformed other Democrats by approximately 14 percentage points in his district.

Jim Carlin (born October 19, 1962) is a Republican attorney and former Iowa State Senator from Sergeant Bluff. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2017 and in the Iowa State Senate representing District 3 from December 2017 to January 2023. During his tenure, he helped pass the fetal heartbeat bill and introduced legislation requiring active shooter training in schools. An Army veteran and attorney who specializes in malpractice and injury litigation, Carlin ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2022 against incumbent Chuck Grassley, receiving 26.5% in the Republican primary. Carlin founded the Iowa Liberty Network, which works to elect conservative candidates to office.

Ashley Elizabeth Hinson Arenholz (born June 27, 1983) is a former TV news anchor and Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa's 2nd Congressional District since 2021. She was the first woman to represent the 67th Iowa House District (2017-2021). Hinson narrowly won her 2020 House race against Democrat Abby Finkenauer and was re-elected in 2022 and 2024 with increasing margins. She announced her Senate campaign on September 2, 2025, hours after incumbent Joni Ernst confirmed she would not seek re-election. Hinson is a resident of Marion, Iowa, married with two children.

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Curb executive power and restore constitutional limits on the presidency
  • End eminent domain abuse
  • Reduce federal government's role in domestic affairs
  • Force quorum calls in Senate to increase debate
Environment
  • Stop the carbon dioxide pipeline
Economy
  • Free market principles with limited government interference
Healthcare
  • Reverse Medicaid privatization
  • Improve health care in rural areas
  • Women's healthcare protection
Education
  • Fully fund K-12 education and reverse cuts to Regents schools
Economy
  • Raise wages and slow rising costs
Environment
  • Water quality enforcement and conservation farming
Other
  • Campaign finance reform and term limits
Economy
  • Lowering costs for working families
  • Raising the minimum wage
  • Supporting small businesses and family farms
Healthcare
  • Providing affordable healthcare
  • Protecting and expanding social safety net
Environment
  • Environmental protection and clean water
Other
  • Defend life and constitutional freedoms
  • Campaign finance reform
Defense
  • Stand up for veterans
Economy
  • Address inflation and economic concerns
  • Deregulation and fair market capitalism
Immigration
  • Border security and immigration enforcement
Other
  • Support Trump's America First agenda
Education
  • Parental rights and education
Economy
  • Tax cuts for working families
  • Agriculture and small business growth

Key Issue Positions

Constitutional Government and Presidential Power
Opposes executive overreach and unconstitutional delegation of authority
Laehn's core issue is that both parties have allowed presidents to become too powerful since President Truman entered the Korean War without congressional approval. He criticizes executive orders creating criminal law and unilateral tariff authority.
Two-Party System Corruption
Running against the two-party system itself
Laehn argues that the Democratic and Republican Parties have corrupted the constitutional system and are equally complicit in undermining representation.
Property Rights and Eminent Domain
Opposes private companies using government to seize land
Laehn advocates ending the ability of private companies to use government coercion to seize property for commercial projects like pipelines.
Carbon Dioxide Pipeline
Opposition to Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline
Laehn identified stopping the $9 billion carbon capture pipeline project as his number one issue.
Individual Liberty
Government should not interfere in economy or personal autonomy
Core Libertarian position: no government interference in markets, commerce, or individual moral decision-making.
Healthcare and Medicaid
Opposes Medicaid privatization and cuts; supports healthcare expansion
Wahls made healthcare his top issue, calling for reversal of Medicaid privatization, mental health system reform, and fixing the individual insurance market.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Pioneering LGBTQ+ advocate; co-founder of Scouts for Equality
Wahls' famous 2011 testimony defending same-sex marriage went viral. He co-founded Scouts for Equality to successfully end Boy Scouts' anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination policies.
Education Funding
Fully fund K-12 and higher education
Wahls calls for fully funding K-12 education and reversing cuts to Iowa's Regents universities.
Labor and Workers' Rights
Strong pro-labor stance; reinstate workers' rights
Endorsements from multiple labor unions. Calls for raising wages and reinstating workers' rights.
Environmental and Agricultural Policy
Clean water enforcement and conservation-focused farming
Emphasizes enforcing Clean Water Act against industrial polluters and reforming farm policy to value conservation.
Campaign Finance Reform
Reduce influence of money in politics
Wahls has called for campaign finance reform and term limits, citing his experience with corporate influence blocking mobile home protection legislation.
Healthcare Access and Medicaid
Strongly opposes Medicaid cuts and supports healthcare expansion
Turek cited Ernst's controversial 'we all are going to die' comment on Medicaid cuts as evidence that Washington leaders are failing Iowans. He opposes school vouchers and cuts to Medicaid.
Economic Justice and Workers' Rights
Pro-labor, supports raising minimum wage and worker protections
Turek calls for raising minimum wage, protecting workers' rights, and eliminating policies that allow employers to pay employees with disabilities less. Wants to match or surpass Sen. Harkin's pro-labor Senate record.
Environmental Protection
Supports clean water enforcement and conservation farming practices
Turek emphasizes enforcing the Clean Water Act against industrial polluters and supporting conservation-focused farm policies.
Immigration
Comprehensive immigration reform with border security and path to citizenship
Turek calls for comprehensive immigration reform including both secure borders and an easier path to citizenship. He shared his personal experience navigating the system with his wife, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic.
Disability Rights
Strong advocate for disability access and protections
As the first permanently disabled member of the Iowa Legislature, Turek has extensive experience with disability advocacy and policy.
Government Accountability and Corruption
Believes government has become corrupted by corporate interests and insider dealings
Carlin criticizes what he calls the 'swamp' in Washington and emphasizes holding powerful interests accountable.
Life Issues
Strong pro-life stance
During his Iowa Senate service, Carlin helped pass the fetal heartbeat bill and introduced legislation to require individuals use public school bathrooms based on biological sex.
Veterans Support
Veteran-focused policies
As an Army veteran (1983-1985), Carlin emphasizes veterans' issues.
Constitutional Limits on Presidential Power
Opposes executive overreach
Like other primary candidates, Carlin emphasizes limiting presidential authority beyond Constitutional bounds.
Immigration and Border Security
Strong supporter of border enforcement and immigration controls
Hinson pledges to 'secure our border and deport illegal aliens' and supports the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' which increases border security funding.
Social Issues and Gender
Opposes transgender participation in sports
Hinson has made 'keeping men out of girl's sports' a central campaign theme and describes herself as a 'mama bear' protecting traditional values.
Taxes and Economy
Strong support for tax cuts and business-friendly policies
Supports the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' tax package and emphasizes tax relief for working families and small businesses.
Healthcare Policy
Supports Medicaid cuts and program reform
Hinson supported the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' which includes Medicaid cuts, defending the bill as strengthening Medicaid while rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse.

Top Donors

No donor data available.

Campaign fundraising (Oct-Dec 2025)
$742,294Campaign Committee
Wahls led Democratic primary fundraising with $742,294 between October-December 2025
Labor unions
Support/EndorsementsLabor Organizations
Strong support from Teamsters Local 90, UFCW Local 1846, CWA Local 7110, Ironworkers Locals 67, 89, 111
Campaign fundraising (Oct-Dec 2025)
$677,806Campaign Committee
Turek raised $677,806 between October and December 2025, behind Wahls' $742,294 but ahead of other Democratic candidates
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)
SupportParty Committee
DSCC has provided some support to Turek's campaign

No donor data available.

Campaign Committee Fundraising
$1,680,000Campaign Committee
Hinson raised $1.68 million in the most recent Federal Election Commission reporting period (Oct-Dec 2025), significantly more than Democratic opponents

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Wahls positions himself as outsider challenging the establishment
Contradiction: Wahls was elected as the youngest-ever Iowa Senate Democratic Leader and has significant backing from national Democratic leaders and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which could undermine his outsider positioning.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch coverage of Democratic primary dynamics
Claim: Wahls said he was willing to 'challenge his own party when necessary'
Contradiction: Wahls was ousted from his position as Iowa Senate Democratic Leader after firing and replacing long-time staff members without consensus from colleagues, suggesting internal party tensions over his leadership style.
Source: Iowa Public Radio - Zach Wahls launches campaign
Claim: Hinson claimed Wahls represented 'extreme liberal activism' with 'high taxes, open borders' policies
Contradiction: Wahls' actual record shows support for standard Democratic healthcare and education policies rather than extreme positions, though Hinson's characterization reflects GOP messaging strategy.
Source: Iowa Public Radio quotes of Hinson's characterization
Claim: Turek claims to be 'the Iowa candidate' rooted in working-class values
Contradiction: While Turek does represent a very red district and has narrow victories, some observers note his backing from Senate Democratic leadership including former Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson and other establishment figures could undermine his anti-establishment positioning.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch - Turek submission of campaign signatures
Claim: Turek is the only Democrat in the race who is 'battle tested' against Republican opposition
Contradiction: Turek won his state House races in a deep red district, but has not faced a statewide race. His general election polling against Hinson showed a statistical tie.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch - Turek files for Senate
Claim: Carlin supported President Trump's spending goals but criticized Ernst's handling of Medicaid cuts
Contradiction: Carlin said while he supports cuts to federal programs, 'her handling of that showed a lack of judgment,' referring to Ernst's controversial 'we all are going to die' comment on Medicaid cuts.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch - Jim Carlin launches campaign
Claim: Carlin positions himself as a 'true conservative fighter' against the 'swamp'
Contradiction: Carlin previously lost a primary race to incumbent Chuck Grassley in 2022 with only 26.5% of the vote, suggesting difficulty gaining traction even in a challenge to an incumbent Republican.
Source: Ballotpedia - Jim Carlin voting record
Claim: Hinson claims strong support for Iowa farmers and agriculture
Contradiction: While Hinson supports agricultural interests, her backing of the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' which includes Medicaid cuts has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders who argue it harms rural Iowa healthcare access.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch reporting on town hall responses to Medicaid cuts
Claim: Hinson's campaign website plagiarism controversy
Contradiction: In July 2020, the New York Times reported that Hinson's campaign website plagiarized portions of articles from media outlets. Hinson acknowledged the error and said her staff would be held accountable.
Source: Wikipedia - Ashley Hinson

What Opponents Say

No opponent claims documented.

Ashley Hinson

During his time in the Iowa Senate, Zach Wahls made a name for himself as an extreme liberal activist championing out-of-touch policies including high taxes, open borders, and letting biological men play in women's sports

Hinson's attack characterizing Wahls as 'extreme' and 'out-of-touch' reflecting standard GOP framing of Democratic positions

Josh Turek

Wahls is backed by establishment Democratic figures while claiming to be an outsider

Turek has indirectly suggested Wahls' national Democratic support undermines his anti-establishment positioning

Ashley Hinson

Turek has not been openly running or polling well against Hinson in early matchups

Hinson commented that 'Zach Wahls seems to be running away with it' in the Democratic primary, suggesting Turek faces an uphill primary battle

Ernst campaign (2025)

Democratic candidates like Turek support cutting spending on programs Iowans depend on

While not specifically targeting Turek, Ernst's campaign has criticized Democratic proposals as harmful to Iowa families

Ernst campaign (2025)

Carlin's 2022 primary bid was a failure and he lacks political viability

Ernst's campaign manager responded to Carlin's 2025 announcement by noting his failed 2022 challenge to Grassley

Ashley Hinson

Carlin and other challengers lack the political experience to win the general election

Hinson, as the GOP frontrunner backed by Trump and national Republican leaders, implicitly challenges Carlin's viability as a general election candidate

Zach Wahls

Hinson has supported the same policies as Ernst that are unpopular with Iowans which contribute to a 'broken economy' and political corruption in Washington.

Wahls criticized Hinson's support for GOP-backed economic policies during the 2026 campaign

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart

Hinson voted for Medicaid funding cuts that are expected to result in thousands of Iowans losing health coverage.

Hart criticized Hinson's support for the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' which includes Medicaid cuts

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

Elizabeth Warrenindividual
Jason Kanderindividual
Teamsters Local 90organization
UFCW Local 1846organization
CWA Local 7110organization
Ironworkers Locals 67, 89, 111organization
Jill Shudakindividual
Various Iowa Democratic leaders and over 100 Iowa leadersindividual
Sally Pedersonindividual
Tom Millerindividual
Sue Dvorskyindividual
J.D. Scholtenindividual
Bob Dvorskyindividual
Elinor Levinindividual
Ross Wilburnindividual
Beth Wessel-Kroeschellindividual
Catherine Cortez Mastoindividual
Maggie Hassanindividual
Bob Casey Jr.individual
Ro Khannaindividual
Kevin Alonsindividual
Doug Campbellindividual
Sandy Salmonindividual
Mark Cisnerosindividual
Samantha Fettindividual
Donald Trumpindividual
John Thuneindividual
Tim Scottindividual
Joni Ernstindividual
Zach Nunnindividual
Mariannette Miller-Meeksindividual
Terry Branstadindividual
View Thomas Laehn's Full Profile →View Zach Wahls's Full Profile →View Josh Turek's Full Profile →View Jim Carlin's Full Profile →View Ashley Hinson's Full Profile →