Iowa Senate Candidates Trade Ads on Immigration
The campaigns for Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson have launched dueling advertisements over immigration policy records.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Republican and Democratic campaigns released competing political advertisements concerning the immigration voting record of U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek. Turek is running against Ashley Hinson for an Iowa U.S. Senate seat.
Why it matters
The advertisements highlight conflicting narratives regarding legislative priorities as both candidates compete for voter support in a high-stakes Iowa Senate race. The discourse centers on specific past legislative actions and attendance records during a recent session.
Josh Turek was one of four Democrats who supported a 2024 bill making immigration violations an aggravated misdemeanor in Iowa. Conversely, he voted against a March 2026 bill that would have required investigation of law enforcement regarding immigration.
The players
Josh Turek
He is a candidate for the United States Senate in Iowa.
Ashley Hinson
She is the Republican candidate opposing Josh Turek for the Iowa U.S. Senate seat.
Senate Leadership Fund
This is a super PAC aligned with Republican leadership that supports GOP candidates in Senate races.
The details
The Republican Senate Leadership Fund issued a critique of Turek's record, specifically highlighting dozens of missed votes during the 2026 legislative session. In response, the Turek campaign released a digital advertisement featuring the candidate in Laredo, Texas.
Timeline
In 2024, Turek voted for a bill making immigration violations an aggravated misdemeanor.
In March 2026, Turek voted against a bill regarding law enforcement investigations.
During the 2026 legislative session, Turek missed dozens of votes.
Political Context
The 2024 Iowa immigration misdemeanor law remains a central point of contention, with legal challenges and federal court rulings complicating its enforcement. The ongoing political messaging reflects a broader disagreement between parties regarding the proper role of state and local officials in immigration law enforcement.
Voters should be aware that the claims in these advertisements reflect specific legislative votes and attendance records that may influence local policy outcomes. Understanding these positions provides clarity on how each candidate intends to handle state-level immigration enforcement if elected.
The takeaway
Campaign advertisements often distill complex legislative histories into simplified narratives to reach specific voter demographics. Residents are encouraged to review official voting records to gain a comprehensive understanding of each candidate's legislative performance.
Further reading
For more background on regional legislative activity, visit the Iowa Legislative Policy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kcrg.
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