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Iowa

Debate preview: Ashley Hinson focuses on health care, fuel prices, cancer research

By Gavin Waidelich,

2 hours ago

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The 2026 Midterm Elections have several highly watched contests in Iowa, including the Senate seat currently held by Joni Ernst.

Ashley Hinson won favor in the Republican primary in June with 74% of the vote. In anticipation of Nexstar Media's Senate debate scheduled for Oct. 13, here's how Hinson plans to address top concerns among Iowans.

About Ashley Hinson

Hinson, an Iowa native, spent more than a decade as a journalist, most notably as a reporter and anchor for KCRG in Cedar Rapids. Hinson ran for office in 2016, and served Iowa House District 67 from 2017 to 2021. She then ran for Congress, beating Democratic incumbent Abby Finkenauer.

Health care/Medicaid

"These shady middlemen, they are continuing to drive our local pharmacies out of business. We need to fight for more accountability and more transparency for PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers)," said Hinson in an interview with Our Quad Cities News. Hinson says she wants to introduce incentives in the form of outing health companies for denying or delaying care to patients. Hinson says this will help reduce drug costs. She also wants to prioritize maternal care and cancer research.

Cost of living/economy

Hinson refers to a six point plan for affordability. "On day one, I want to introduce legislation that would make the working families' tax cuts bill permanent," said Hinson. "We need to focus on child care. Not everyone works a 9-to-5 job, so I have a proposal to make child care more accessible outside of those typical hours to help support the workforce," she continued. "We need to drive down fuel prices, but we also need to focus on long-term energy independence." Hinson specified that she wants to invest in refining capacity and prioritize the use of bio-fuels.

Tariffs and agriculture

Hinson has been supportive of President Trump's use of tariffs, saying that these measures hold other countries accountable. Her stance on agriculture is deregulating policies that she says "hurt Iowa family farmers." As mentioned above, she also supports bio-fuels that can increase market variability for farmers, as well as year-round allowance of E-15, according to her campaign website.

Abortion

A statement from her website says she is "pro-life and pro-family." Hinson rejects the use of taxes for abortions. The statement further outlines her ideas to expand care centers for mothers and expectant mothers.

Cancer and environmental health/Water quality

Hinson supported several water quality improvement projects for fiscal year 2026. Hinson voted against the PFAS Action Act in 2021. That bill requires the Environmental Protect Agency to designate PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) as "hazardous substances," and to regulate the amount allowed in drinking water. PFAs have been linked to several health issues, including kidney cancer. Hinson supports funding cancer research, introducing a bill that would "direct a portion of federal funds collected on imported tobacco products" to fund cancer-care centers and research.

Hinson faces Democrat Josh Turek and Libertarian Thomas Laehn in the Nov. 3 election.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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