ADEL — U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is endorsing Rep. Ashley Hinson to succeed her as Iowa’s next senator, calling her the best choice to keep the seat in Republican hands in 2026.
More than a hundred supporters gathered Saturday, Jan. 10, at Iowa Spring in Adel for an event featuring Ernst and Hinson, waving signs saying “Thank you Joni” on one side and “Vote Ashley” on the other.
Ernst, a Republican who was first elected to the Senate in 2014, announced Sept. 2 she would not run for reelection. Hours later, Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, jumped into the Senate race.
“Part of that decision on whether I would run again or not was knowing that we as Iowans would have somebody that could step in to this campaign and ensure that we keep this seat,” Ernst said. “That woman is Ashley Hinson.”
Hinson called Ernst “tough as nails” and said “you don’t back down from a fight,” thanking Ernst for her service in the U.S. Senate, the military and local office.
“Joni, thank you so much for all that you have done for Iowans,” Hinson said. “We owe you such a debt of gratitude.”
Ernst said she was “blown away” by the support.
“You don’t have to say thank you to me,” she said to the crowd waving signs at her. “It has been the absolute privilege of a lifetime serving in the United States Senate.”
Hinson praised Ernst for her work in Washington, D.C., and reining in spending, referencing her 2014 campaign slogan, “make ’em squeal.”
“This will be my promise to all of you too,” Hinson said. “Not only will they not stop squealing, we’re going to make them squeal even louder.”
Ernst’s endorsement further cements Hinson as the Republican frontrunner ahead of the June 2 primary election, adding to endorsements from President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and a wide range of Iowa officials.
Hinson also holds a large fundraising advantage over her primary opponent: former state Sen. Jim Carlin of Sioux City. She had $4 million in the bank as of Sept. 30 compared with $1,728 for Carlin, who is largely self-funding his campaign.
Hinson has said she will be Trump’s “top ally” in the U.S. Senate and has touted her votes for key pieces of Trump’s agenda. That includes passing Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” last summer, which cut taxes on tips and overtime, as well as cutting spending on Medicaid and SNAP.
Carlin has criticized Hinson as not being sufficiently supportive of Trump’s agenda, despite Trump endorsing her. Carlin previously ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley in 2022, when Grassley defeated him 73.5% to 26.5%.
Several Democrats are seeking their party’s U.S. Senate nomination, including state Sen. Zach Wahls, state Rep. Josh Turek, former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage and former state lawmaker Bob Krause.
Paige Godden, a spokesperson for the Iowa Democratic Party, criticized Hinson for accepting Ernst’s endorsement and slamming both for their votes for Trump’s agenda, including the “big, beautiful bill.”
“Ashley Hinson and Joni Ernst are two peas in a pod when it comes to raising prices and making health insurance unaffordable for Iowans, even if it means ‘we all are going to die,'” Godden said in a statement, referencing viral comments Ernst made last summer. “With today’s endorsement, it’s clear Ashley Hinson is just like Joni Ernst and will continue prioritizing tax breaks for billionaires over hardworking Iowans.”
Ernst urged the crowd to put in the work to make sure Iowa’s all-Republican delegation — especially her Senate seat — stays in GOP hands after the November midterm elections.
“It’s going to be a banger of a year, folks,” she said. “So we’re going to have to get out and knock those doors and make those phone calls, talk to everyone you know, because for heaven’s sakes, folks, I didn’t come this far to turn over this seat to a Democrat once again.”
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: Incumbent Joni Ernst endorses Ashley Hinson to succeed her in US Senate
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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