Hinson, Turek Clash Over Iran War and Diesel Prices in First Iowa Senate Debate
JOHNSTON, Iowa — Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek faced off Oct. 7 in the first debate of Iowa's U.S. Senate race, clashing over the war in Iran, diesel prices, health care and Social Security in the open-seat contest to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, CNN and Iowa media reported.
Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist from Council Bluffs, hammered Hinson for voting seven times against curbing the war in Iran and five times against reining in President Trump's tariffs, calling the conflict a "forever war" like Iraq and Afghanistan with no exit strategy. Hinson, a congresswoman from Marion, called for an immediate and successful end to the war and said a congressional resolution could prevent Trump from bringing it to an orderly close.
On the economy, Hinson touted a diesel relief program she proposed Sept. 22 and a multi-point energy plan, saying diesel prices top her list of concerns for Iowa farmers. Turek said he favors a temporary gas tax suspension and a ban on diesel exports, blaming Hinson for rising fuel prices because she backed the war.
On health care, Turek attacked Hinson's support for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, saying it would strip coverage from 110,000 Iowans through Medicaid work requirements and the expiration of marketplace subsidies. Hinson countered that repealing the law would restore Medicaid to undocumented immigrants. She also pressed Turek over missing 58% of Iowa House votes this year, telling him to return the taxpayer per diem — "a tale of two Tureks," she said, accusing him of shifting his stance on working with the White House after trashing the president in the primary.
The debate, carried on Iowa PBS from its Johnston studio, was the first of two scheduled face-offs. Both candidates claimed victory afterward, according to Sioux City's KSCJ. With the Senate majority at stake, national groups are expected to flood the state with advertising in the final weeks before Nov. 3.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：爱荷华州议会大厦内景。摄影：Thesavagenorwegian，CC BY 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
