Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) took aim at Democratic rival Josh Turek on Wednesday, accusing the state lawmaker of repeatedly skipping his legislative responsibilities and failing to vote in Des Moines.
During a U.S. Senate debate, Hinson, 43, said Turek had been absent for 58% of the year and missed votes on measures she argued would have benefited Iowa residents and farmers, including the Iowa Farm Bill. She specifically accused him of choosing not to attend the vote on that legislation.
“He was one of the most absent, and he was one of the most liberal when he did show up to vote,” the Republican congresswoman said later in the debate.
Hinson, who is serving her third term in Congress, compared Turek’s attendance record with expectations in the private sector, saying an employee with similar absenteeism would not receive a promotion and could instead be fired.
Turek, 47, responded by turning the criticism back on Hinson and highlighting her own missed votes in Washington.
“She’s missed 193 votes herself. And when she’s been up in DC, she has voted in favor of cuts to healthcare in a state with a healthcare crisis and a cancer crisis,” the Democrat said.
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Turek also criticized Hinson for using a little-known federal benefit that provides House members with a $178-per-day per diem for certain expenses. He claimed she received $50,000 in taxpayer funds in addition to her congressional salary despite being a “multimillionaire.”
Hinson countered that Turek had benefited from a similar taxpayer-funded per diem available to Iowa lawmakers.
“I’m glad, Josh, that you brought up the per diem,” Hinson said. She accused her opponent of collecting the full Iowa payment despite missing work and noted that the state program operates much like the one he had criticized.
“So you took the per diem. You stole from taxpayers. You should refund that money,” Hinson said.
Hinson has alleged that Turek received $20,000 through the Iowa program.
The Iowa Senate contest is expected to rank among the most closely watched races on Election Day. Its result could help determine which party controls the chamber when the new session begins in January 2027.
Turek holds a narrow advantage over Hinson, leading her by one percentage point in the latest RealClearPolitics polling average.
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