Republican Iowa Senate nominee Ashley Hinson has criticised her Democratic rival, state Rep. Josh Turek, for a poor voting attendance record in the Iowa legislature, calling him an "absentee legislator". The attack comes as Turek is regarded as a key candidate for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's efforts to help Democrats regain control of the US Senate, making his conduct a point of scrutiny in a closely watched race.

A report found that Turek missed 58% of House votes during the 2026 legislative session, while he received more than $20,000 in taxpayer-funded per diem payments over the same period. Hinson has seized on the figures to question Turek's fitness for higher office, framing the missed votes alongside the payments as evidence of poor representation of his constituents.