From News Anchor to Lawmaker
Before entering the political arena, Ashley Hinson was a familiar face to many Iowans. Born in Des Moines, she pursued a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California before returning to her home state. For over a decade, she worked as a reporter and anchor for KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids. During her journalism career, Hinson won two regional Emmy Awards and covered major local events, including the devastating floods of 2008. She has said that her experience reporting on issues directly affecting Iowans, like rising healthcare costs and disaster recovery, motivated her to run for office and seek solutions through policy.
Entering Politics in the Iowa House
Hinson's political career began in 2016 when she ran for the Iowa House of Representatives. She was
elected to represent the 67th district, a competitive suburban area around Cedar Rapids, and became the first woman to hold the seat. During her tenure from 2017 to 2021, she focused on state-level fiscal issues, advocating for tax cuts and a balanced budget. Her legislative priorities also included workforce development and improving access to childcare for working families. She won a competitive reelection bid in 2018 before setting her sights on a national office.
The Jump to Congress and Senate Ambitions
In 2020, Hinson successfully challenged incumbent Democrat Abby Finkenauer for Iowa's 1st Congressional District, winning a narrow victory to become one of the first Republican women to represent Iowa in the U.S. House. After redistricting, her district was renumbered as the 2nd, and she secured reelections in 2022 and 2024. In Congress, she landed a spot on the influential House Appropriations Committee, where she has focused on fiscal policy and government spending. In 2025, following Senator Joni Ernst's announcement that she would not seek reelection, Hinson announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, winning the Republican primary for the 2026 election.
Key Policy Positions and Voting Record
As a member of Congress, Hinson has established a solidly conservative voting record. Interest group scorecards reflect her alignment with the Republican party platform on key issues. She has received high marks from conservative groups like Heritage Action for supporting bills aimed at stricter voter ID laws, fiscal restraint, and foreign policy priorities. Conversely, she has received low scores from progressive organizations. Reproductive Freedom for All gives her a 0% rating based on her votes in favor of legislation restricting abortion access. The League of Conservation Voters has also given her low single-digit scores, citing votes against various environmental regulations and clean energy standards. Her official biography states she is focused on pursuing pro-growth policies, improving child care access, and rooting out government corruption. Throughout her time in office, she has maintained a very high voting attendance record.
