Turek Hits Hinson on Affordability: 'Costs Are Way Too Damn High'

Democrat Josh Turek, a Paralympian and state representative, held a roundtable at Dough Co. Pizza in Ankeny on Friday to hammer home a central campaign message: Iowans are struggling with rising costs, and his opponent, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, is out of touch.

Turek, who is challenging Hinson for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat in November, said he understands the financial pressures facing working-class families better than the Republican incumbent. He pointed to Hinson's growing personal wealth and her votes on tariffs and military action as evidence that she is disconnected from everyday Iowans.

'Washington is broken because people like Ashley Hinson are using their position to enrich themselves and their donors, not to fight for Iowans,' Turek said. 'Since she got to Washington, D.C., Ashley Hinson has become up to 10 times more wealthy. She's voted four times in favor of the tariffs that are absolutely decimating our rural communities and our farmers. Six times voted in favor of this war, and to continue the war in Iran, which is leading to increased cost of gas, diesel, and fertilizer. The bottom line is, I know that costs are way too damn high, and as your next senator, I am absolutely committed, laser-focused on bringing costs down.'

What Turek's affordability plan includes

The Council Bluffs Democrat's platform includes raising the minimum wage, a federal ban on price gouging for food, and reversing cuts to Medicaid and SNAP made through the GOP's 2025 tax and spending law. Hinson and Iowa's all-Republican federal delegation voted for that law.

Nathan Sage, a former Democratic primary challenger who dropped out and endorsed Turek, joined the roundtable. He said Hinson and other Washington insiders are asking Iowans to endure unnecessary pain.

'You keep seeing our leaders tell us, a little bit of pain, for a little bit of pleasure, basically,' Sage said. 'Well, it's easy to do when you're seated in power. It's easy to do when you're looking down at people and you don't have to be on the ground with them. But for people who are just trying to figure out how they're going to pay their rent, how they're going to pay for food on the table, how they're going to buy school supplies, or how they're just going to be able to live their life, it's a major slap in the face.'

Small business owners feel the pinch

Evan Davis, co-owner of Dough Co. Pizza, said tariffs and rising costs are hitting his business hard. Higher operating expenses mean fewer customers can afford to eat out, he said.

State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, the former House minority leader, called Hinson's campaign ads 'offensive' for portraying her as a working-class Iowan while reports show she spends $50,000 on a luxury D.C. apartment and her wealth has grown during her time in Congress.

'The affordability cosplay that Ashley Hinson is putting on in that commercial and others is offensive,' Konfrst said. 'Don't pretend to get our lives. Don't pretend to be coming back here and living this life when we know you aren't.'

Hinson's response and record

Hinson's campaign did not respond to a request for comment Friday. In the past, she has highlighted tax cuts on tips and overtime from the 2025 GOP law as measures that lower costs for Iowans. Her campaign has also said she is 'working across the aisle to lower costs by taking on Big Pharma and Big health insurance' and has secured 'millions in funding for healthcare access and cancer research.'

Turek argued that the contrast between him and Hinson could not be clearer.

'You couldn't have more of a distinction: A multimillionaire that is just up there, looking out for herself, for billionaires, for large corporations, for donors and lobbyists,' Turek said. 'I'm running for the people of Iowa because I felt the same struggle that they have felt, and they deserve somebody to go up there to work in a bipartisan way to solve people's problems.'

What this means for Iowa voters

The Senate race is shaping up as a referendum on economic policy and representation. With Hinson's wealth and voting record under scrutiny, Turek is betting that Iowans will side with a candidate who shares their financial struggles. The election is set for November 2026.