United States Senator Iowa in Statewide, Iowa

2026 Primary Election

• Jim Carlin — Attorney in IA

  Jim Carlin, a Republican, is an attorney and U.S. Army veteran who served in the Iowa House in 2017 and the Iowa Senate from 2017 to 2023. Born in Massachusetts, he later founded the Iowa Liberty Network, an organization focused on electing "constitutional conservative" candidates. Carlin is running for U.S. Senate in Iowa in 2026, his second attempt after an unsuccessful 2022 primary challenge against Sen. Chuck Grassley. He has declared his intent to preserve Donald Trump's legacy, address monopolies, and indicated a willingness to vote to end the Senate filibuster. Carlin has also previously supported unsubstantiated claims of 2020 election fraud.

• Ashley Hinson — Incumbent U.S. Representative in IA

  Ashley Hinson, born June 27, 1983, is a Republican U.S. Representative for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, first elected to Congress in 2020. She previously served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021 and worked as a TV news anchor. Hinson announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2026 on September 2, 2025, seeking to replace the retiring Joni Ernst. She advocates for securing borders, cutting taxes, and keeping transgender girls out of girls' sports, aspiring to be President Trump's top ally in the Senate to advance an "America First" agenda. Her campaign themes also include balancing the budget, providing tax relief, and increasing funding for education and rural healthcare.

• Josh Turek — Incumbent Member of the Iowa House of Representatives in IA

  Josh Turek, born in 1979, is a moderate Democrat, two-time Paralympic gold medalist for Team USA in wheelchair basketball, and a State Legislator currently representing Iowa’s 20th House District since 2023. Born with spina bifida, he is the Iowa legislature's first permanently disabled member and a strong advocate for people with disabilities. A veteran and small business owner, Turek announced his candidacy for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Iowa in August 2025. He emphasizes a solutions-oriented approach, focusing on creating good-paying jobs, supporting veterans, making healthcare affordable, improving public schools, and ensuring Iowa's voice is heard in Washington.

• Zach Wahls — Incumbent State Senator in Coralville, IA

  Zach Wahls, a sixth-generation Iowan, Eagle Scout, and small business owner, currently serves as an Iowa State Senator for District 43, first elected in 2018. He was the youngest-ever Iowa Senate Democratic Leader from 2020-2023. Wahls is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2026, campaigning on raising the minimum wage, affordable healthcare and housing, drinkable water, and addressing corruption. He previously co-founded Scouts for Equality, advocating for LGBT inclusion. He seeks to bring new leadership and give voice to all Iowans in Washington D.C.