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Bruce Pearl Campaigns for Ashley Hinson in Ames

Former Auburn basketball coach joins Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson for a campaign event in Ames.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball

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Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson held a campaign event in Ames on Friday, joined by former basketball coach Bruce Pearl. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Former Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl appeared at a campaign rally in Ames on Friday to support Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson. The event focused on drawing policy contrasts between Hinson and Democratic opponent Josh Turek ahead of the upcoming election.

Why it matters

The campaign event aims to highlight partisan differences, with Pearl suggesting that Josh Turek would align with Chuck Schumer if elected to the Senate. Hinson is actively campaigning to differentiate her legislative record from that of her opponent.

A 2024 Iowa bill, which classifies immigration violations as an aggravated misdemeanor, received support from 3 Democrats in the state legislature. This legislative move remains a point of contention in the ongoing Senate race.

The players

Ashley Hinson

Ashley Hinson is a Republican Senate candidate who currently serves in Congress.

Bruce Pearl

Bruce Pearl is a former Auburn basketball coach who previously served as an assistant coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Josh Turek

Josh Turek is a Democratic Senate candidate who has focused his recent campaign efforts on meeting with farmers.

Chuck Schumer

Chuck Schumer is the Majority Leader of the United States Senate.

The details

Ashley Hinson, who voted against the Border Act of 2024 in Congress, hosted the rally to emphasize her stance against her opponent, Josh Turek. Turek has recently campaigned by speaking with farmers in Grinnell regarding harvest costs.

Timeline

  1. Bruce Pearl coached for the Iowa Hawkeyes during the 1980s and 1990s.

  2. A 2024 Iowa immigration bill passed into law.

  3. Josh Turek spoke to farmers in Grinnell on October 29, 2026.

  4. Ashley Hinson held her campaign rally in Ames on October 30, 2026.

  5. Election day is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The campaign event centers on the Border Act of 2024 as a pivotal point of departure between the two candidates. This contrast serves to define the closing argument for both parties as they vie for seats in Washington, D.C.

Voters must weigh the impact of Hinson's vote against the Border Act of 2024 against Turek's record regarding state-level immigration legislation. These policy decisions will directly influence the legislative direction for Iowa residents in the next term.

The takeaway

Candidates are currently prioritizing specific legislative votes to distinguish their platforms for voters. Residents should examine these records to understand how each candidate plans to address federal and state-level immigration policy.

What happens next

The general election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026.

Further reading

For more on the local sports figures involved, visit Ames Basketball.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Wowt.

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Do you prioritize a political candidate's legislative record over their personal life story when voting?