Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Josh Turek and Zach Wahls each reported raising more than $1.1 million in the first three months of 2026, new fundraising reports show.
But Republican frontrunner U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson raked in more than $2.3 million, building on her substantial fundraising lead.
The federal campaign finance reports, which cover Jan. 1 through March 31, continue to show a tight race between Turek and Wahls for the Democratic nomination and a large advantage for Hinson in the Republican race.
Turek, a state representative from Council Bluffs, and Wahls, a state senator from Coralville, each raised $1.22 million, with Turek ahead by just $222.
The two campaigns had similar spending in the most recent quarter — $763,000 for Turek compared with $800,000 for Wahls. But Wahls maintains his cash-on-hand advantage with $1.06 million in the bank compared with Turek’s $757,000.
Turek said his fundraising came from nearly 53,000 individual donors who gave an average of $33.
“Josh Turek is building the movement that will secure wins in both June and November,” Turek’s campaign manager, Brendan Koch, said in a statement. “He’s the only candidate in this race — Democrat or Republican — who isn’t a millionaire, and he’s the only candidate in this primary who has even run against a Republican. People know that he’s going to Washington for all the right reasons, and that he’s Democrats’ best shot at taking Sen. Tom Harkin’s seat back.”
Wahls said in an interview that “we’re very excited about our numbers.”
“Our campaign is grounded in Iowa,” he said. “We’re leading in endorsements and fundraising and polling. This is not a campaign for Washington. I’m willing to take on the status quo, which is not working for Iowans, it’s not helping our families … and it’s just clear that it’s time to make a change.”
Both campaigns have improved their fundraising and cash on hand from the final quarter of 2025.
Ashley Hinson’s war chest grows to $6.5 million
Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd District in Congress, reported raising more than $2.3 million in the first quarter, which her campaign said rises to more than $3 million when including fundraising through joint committees.
She spent $1 million during the quarter and has more than $6.5 million in cash on hand.
“Iowans of all walks of life and all political parties are supporting Ashley — Team Hinson is growing every single day,” Hinson’s deputy campaign manager, Addie Lavis, said in a statement. “While Schumer and Democrats squabble over their eventual nominee, Republicans are united behind Ashley.”
Former state Sen. Jim Carlin reported raising more than $46,700, including $8,220 from individual donors and $37,700 in the form of a loan from himself. He ended the quarter with $14,579 in the bank.
Carlin has loaned his campaign more than $193,000 across the election cycle, accounting for the majority of the $297,000 he has raised since launching his campaign.
Libertarian Thomas Laehn reported raising $4,070 and spending $4,061. He has $5,514 in cash on hand.
Jim Carlin, Republican
US Rep. Ashley Hinson, Republican
State Rep. Josh Turek, Democrat
State Sen. Zach Wahls, Democrat
Thomas Laehn, Libertarian
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hinson leads Iowa Senate fundraising, with Turek, Wahls neck and neck
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
