National Democrats target Hinson with $13.4M Ad Buy in Iowa's U.S. Senate Race

Decorah Vikings win, City Council votes, New Referenda on the ballot — we're the one telling Decorah's story. Donate now. National Democrats are investing in Iowa's U.S. Senate race heading into the 2026 election cycle, with the Senate Majority PAC announcing Thursday a planned $13.4 million television reservation in Iowa targeting U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is running to become the GOP nominee for the seat. The announced reservation is expected to hit Iowa airwaves in the fall leading up to the Nov. 3 midterm election and also includes a "significant digital investment," according to a news release from the Senate Majority PAC — the key super PAC supporting Senate Democrats and aligned with party leadership in the chamber. The ads, which will air after the June 2 primary, will focus on Hinson, who currently represents Iowa's 2nd Congressional District. She faces Republican Jim Carlin in the June 2 primary. Hinson has gained support from prominent Republicans, including Joni Ernst, who currently holds the seat, and Donald Trump in her Senate campaign. She also holds a fundraising lead over both her primary opponent and the two Democrats — Iowa Rep. Josh Turek and Sen. Zach Wahls — competing to become the Democratic nominee. Though political forecasters have rated the race for Iowa's U.S. Senate seat as "likely Republican" in 2026, Democrats are hoping the seat could become a potential pickup as voters express frustration with certain decisions made by the Trump administration and GOP-controlled Congress, including tariff policies, the Iran war and cuts to Medicaid. The fall ad buy is intended to ensure voters "hear directly about how Hinson backed Trump's tariffs and voted to strip millions from Medicaid," according to the Senate Majority PAC release. "Ashley Hinson had four years and one job: Fight for Iowa. Instead, she spent every vote auditioning for Donald Trump," Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Lauren French said in a statement. "Iowans can't afford her loyalty to the powerful, the corrupt, and corporations — and they won't forget it. This November, the bill will come due." The ad investment marks growing optimism from some Democrats about the chances of flipping federal and statewide seats in Iowa's 2026 elections. Iowa currently has an all-Republican federal delegation, a Republican trifecta at the Statehouse and all but one statewide elected office held by Republicans. However, the 2026 elections in Iowa's 1st and 3rd congressional districts, represented by Republican Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn, are predicted to be highly competitive in the midterms. The Cook Political Report also moved the gubernatorial race rating to a "toss-up," citing campaign fundraising and polling showing support for Democratic candidate Rob Sand, currently the only Democrat holding statewide office in Iowa. In addition to the Iowa ad buy, the Senate Majority PAC announced investments in other states, including: $46.4 million in Ohio $33.4 million in Maine $31.4 million in North Carolina $10.6 million in Alaska Your weekly dose of local life! Subscribe to the free newsletter and enjoy news, analysis, and stories you'll actually look forward to reading.