Iowa Democrat Josh Turek won’t utter Trump’s name but takes sly jab at Ashley Hinson’s biggest asset: ‘She plays the fiddle well’
Josh Turek, the Democratic candidate in a closely contested Iowa Senate race, is keeping Donald Trump’s name largely out of his campaign messaging. He says the contest could determine control of the Senate, and has pointed to areas where he agrees with Trump, including housing and border security.
Asked about Republican opponent Ashley Hinson’s greatest asset, Turek quipped that she “plays the fiddle well”, referring to her performances at fundraisers. A Marist poll put him ahead 48 per cent to 45 per cent, though 59 per cent of likely voters thought Hinson would win; Trump carried Iowa by 13 points in 2024 and announced two planned visits to the state.
- Turek is avoiding frequent mentions of Trump in a tight Iowa Senate race.
- He praised Hinson’s fiddle-playing when asked about her greatest asset.
- A poll showed Turek up three points, while most voters expected Hinson to win.
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Iowa’s Senate race is a contest for one of the state’s seats in the United States Senate, where members vote on national laws and confirm senior government appointments. The result could affect which party controls the chamber, so campaigns may draw attention beyond Iowa.
Josh Turek is the Democratic candidate, and Ashley Hinson is the Republican candidate. Iowa has recently leaned strongly towards Republicans: Donald Trump won the state by 13 points in 2024, though polls and voters’ expectations can differ.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Turek’s strategy could help him compete in a state where Trump remains popular: avoiding a polarising national figure may keep attention on the Senate race, while acknowledging agreement on issues such as housing and border security could appeal to voters across party lines. His fiddle remark may also offer a light, memorable way to draw a contrast with Hinson without making the campaign solely about Trump.
The case against
Keeping Trump largely out of the campaign could leave Turek less able to address how a Republican Senate majority might affect voters, and his brief overlap with Trump on policy may blur distinctions voters want to understand. Hinson’s performances at fundraisers can show personal warmth and connection with supporters; turning them into a punchline may seem dismissive, while the poll lead for Turek sits alongside signs of a challenging political environment for Democrats in Iowa.