President Donald Trump will campaign in Sioux City on Thursday evening for Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, aiming to fire up GOP voters in the final stretch before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
The rally, scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, comes as Democrats challenge the administration's election enforcement actions in federal court and as candidates in both parties confront voter frustration over high prices. According to Fox News, the Sioux City stop is part of a broader push to energize Republican turnout with less than two weeks to go before Election Day.
Trump Makes Late Push for Hinson in Sioux City
Hinson has worked to present herself as both a Trump ally and an independent voice for Iowa, saying she will back the president when it benefits the state and push back when necessary. Her message appears designed to hold the Republican base while appealing to independents wary of partisan gridlock.
Her Democratic opponent, state lawmaker Josh Turek, has also stressed bipartisanship. He has criticized Trump's tariffs and the administration's handling of the war with Iran, tying Hinson to policies he argues have raised costs for Iowa families.
The race is among the contests that could decide control of the U.S. Senate. Iowa Public Radio reported that Trump is expected to make two Iowa stops before Election Day to support Hinson, gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn, and other Republicans further down the ballot.
Why the Iowa Senate Race Matters
Iowa has leaned Republican in recent cycles, but party strategists are not taking anything for granted this year. The Detroit News reported that Trump's weakened standing and voter anxiety over his policies have complicated the party's prospects in a state that was once considered a reliable stronghold.
That anxiety is largely economic. Diesel prices, grocery bills, and energy costs have become the dominant issues on the campaign trail, forcing Republican candidates to defend the administration's record while acknowledging that voters feel squeezed.
The pattern extends beyond Iowa. In Kansas, Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton sparred over the causes of rising fuel costs during a Senate debate. Marshall blamed the war between Russia and Ukraine, while Hamilton argued voters would not accept that explanation. Diesel in Kansas averaged $6.32 per gallon this week, up from $3.62 a year ago, according to AAA.
The stakes are especially high in farm country, where diesel powers much of the agricultural economy. Marshall also attacked Hamilton's support for portions of the Green New Deal, arguing that renewable energy policies have blocked construction of new refineries. Hamilton said he backs parts of the proposal but not the whole package.
Democrats Sue Over Election Rules Days Before Voting Ends
While candidates make their closing arguments, a legal fight over election administration is playing out in federal court. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Democratic campaign committees have sued the Trump administration, accusing it of improperly interfering with states' authority to run their own elections.
The lawsuit challenges federal efforts involving voter roll reviews and ballots cast by people the government identifies as likely noncitizens. It also cites the Justice Department's attempt to stop California from counting ballots from voters on a federal list. Democrats argue the administration is relying on unsubstantiated claims of widespread noncitizen voting and threatening state election officials.
The Justice Department says its actions are lawful and intended to protect election integrity. The dispute lands less than two weeks before Election Day, when control of Congress and numerous state offices will be decided.
Omar Faces Questions After FBI Search
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., dismissed longstanding allegations that she married her brother for immigration purposes as insane during a Wednesday interview, her first since federal agents searched her Washington, D.C., home on Oct. 12 as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Asked whether there was any kernel of truth to claims involving her ex-husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, Omar told MS NOW's Chris Hayes: Not to my knowledge. She said the allegations originated on a Somali blog before spreading through conservative circles. The claims, which Trump has repeatedly amplified, have not been substantiated.
The Justice Department previously confirmed agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant. Omar has denied wrongdoing and accused Trump of being involved in the investigation.
What to Watch Before Nov. 3
For Iowa voters, the next twelve days will bring the final debates, the last rounds of advertising, and Thursday's presidential rally in Sioux City. Turnout in rural counties and the strength of the Republican ground game will likely determine whether Hinson can hold the seat for the GOP.
The outcome in Iowa, alongside races in Kansas and other states, will shape the Senate majority for the second half of Trump's term. Early voting is already underway across much of the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Trump campaigning for Ashley Hinson?
Trump is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, to support Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Iowa?
Republican Ashley Hinson faces Democrat Josh Turek, a state lawmaker, in the Nov. 3 midterm election.
Why is the Iowa Senate race important?
The race is among the contests that could determine control of the U.S. Senate after the midterms.