Ashley Hinson

Ashley Hinson
Official portrait, 2024
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byAbby Finkenauer
Constituency1st district (2021–2023)
2nd district (2023–present)
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
from the 67th district
In office
January 9, 2017 – January 3, 2021
Preceded byKraig Paulsen
Succeeded byEric Gjerde
Personal details
BornAshley Elizabeth Hinson
(1983-06-27) June 27, 1983
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Matthew Arenholz
​
(m. 2008)​
Children2
EducationUniversity of Southern California (BA)
Signature
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website

Ashley Elizabeth Hinson[1] (born June 27, 1983)[2] is an American politician and journalist serving as the U.S. representative for Iowa's 2nd congressional district since 2021. The district, numbered as the 1st district during her first term, covers much of northeastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Dubuque.

A member of the Republican Party, Hinson was the Iowa state representative for the 67th district from 2017 to 2021, and the first woman to represent the district.[3] She won the 1st district in the U.S. House in the 2020 election, narrowly defeating incumbent Democrat Abby Finkenauer. Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks are the first Republican women to represent Iowa in the House.

Hinson won reelection in the redrawn 2nd district in 2022 and 2024. Hinson is the Republican nominee in the 2026 United States Senate election in Iowa to replace retiring Republican incumbent Joni Ernst.

Early life, education, and career

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Hinson is a graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines and the University of Southern California, where she studied broadcast journalism.[4] She is an alumna of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.[1]

Hinson was a news and entertainment intern at KABC-TV in Los Angeles and worked for WOI-TV in Des Moines as a camera operator and editor for their evening newscasts.[5] Hinson worked as an anchor and reporter for KCRG-TV for over a decade.[6] She won two regional Emmy Awards.[7]

Iowa House of Representatives

Elections

In 2016, Hinson ran for Iowa's 67th House district, based in Linn County. She defeated Democrat Mark Seidl, 62.5%–37.5%.[8]

This Cedar Rapids suburban district is very competitive. 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won it over Donald Trump by two percentage points.[9]

In 2018, Hinson faced a competitive race against teacher Eric Gjerde. She defeated him, 52%–48%.[10][11]

Committee assignments

In the Iowa House, Hinson served on the Judiciary, Public Safety, and Transportation Committees, which she chaired. She also served on the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee.[12]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

Hinson during the 117th Congress

On May 13, 2019, Hinson filed paperwork to run against first term Democratic incumbent Abby Finkenauer in Iowa's 1st congressional district.[9]

The district, which encompasses 20 counties in northeastern Iowa, was flipped in the 2018 election.[13] Hinson was announced as a "contender" by the National Republican Congressional Committee. She was endorsed by Iowa governor Kim Reynolds and lieutenant governor Adam Gregg.[14] On June 2, 2020, Hinson won the Republican primary.[15]

Hinson focused her campaign on cutting taxes and building infrastructure.[3] In July 2020, The New York Times reported several instances of Hinson's campaign website plagiarizing portions of articles from media outlets. Hinson said she "was unaware of the plagiarism when I reviewed drafts presented to me by staff. As a journalist I take this extremely seriously and am deeply sorry for the mistake. The staff responsible will be held accountable."[16][17]

Hinson defeated Finkenauer in the November general election.[18] Hinson won by more than 10,000 votes—she garnered 51.2% of the vote while Finkenauer finished with 48.6%.[19]

2022

On October 29, 2021, most of Hinson's territory, including her home in Marion, near Cedar Rapids, became the 2nd district due to redistricting, and Hinson announced she would seek reelection there. In effect, she traded district numbers with fellow freshman Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks.[20] Hinson defeated Democratic state Senator Liz Mathis in the general election.[21]

2024

On November 5, 2024, Hinson was re-elected with 57.1% of the vote, defeating Democrat Sarah Corkery.[22]

Tenure

Economic issues

In 2020, Hinson said she was open to raising the retirement age for Social Security as one step in efforts to preserve the program for future generations.[23]

Hinson, along with all other Senate and House Republicans, voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[24]

In 2025, Hinson voted in favor of President Trump's tax and policy legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.[25] Hinson held events celebrating the bill's passage; the events were attended by both supporters and opponents of the legislation.[26][27]

Foreign policy

In 2026, Hinson voted against a measure to require President Trump to seek congressional authorization to continue the 2026 Iran war.[28] Hinson said that Trump "possesses the inherent constitutional authority as our commander in chief to protect our American personnel and the interests in the region and to protect Americans here at home."[28]

Social issues

On July 19, 2022, Hinson and 46 other Republican representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would require all U.S. states and territories to recognize same-sex marriages under federal law.[29]

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress:[30]

Caucus memberships

2026 U.S. Senate campaign

On September 2, 2025, Hinson announced her candidacy for the 2026 United States Senate election in Iowa, following incumbent Senator Joni Ernst's announcement that she would not seek reelection.[32][33] She won the Republican primary, defeating former state senator Jim Carlin, and will face Democratic nominee Josh Turek in the general election.

Personal life

Hinson is a resident of Marion, Iowa. She is married with two children.[34] Hinson is a Protestant.[35]

Electoral history

Election Political result Candidate Party Votes %
2018 Iowa House of Representatives general election  [36]
District 67
Turnout: 16,537		Republican hold Ashley Hinson Republican8,59352.0%
Eric Gjerde Democratic7,93248.0%
Write-in votes 120.1%
2016 Iowa House of Representatives general election  [8]
District 67
Turnout: 17,997		Republican hold Ashley Hinson Republican11,24862.50%
Mark Seidl Democratic6,74937.50%
2020 election for U.S. Representative of Iowa's 1st congressional district
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ashley Hinson 212,088 51.2
Democratic Abby Finkenauer (incumbent) 201,347 48.7
Write-in 434 0.1
2022 election for U.S. Representative of Iowa's 2nd congressional district
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ashley Hinson (incumbent) 172,181 54.1
Democratic Liz Mathis 145,940 45.8
Write-in 278 0.1
2024 Election for U.S. Representative of Iowa's 2nd congressional district[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ashley Hinson (incumbent) 233,340 57.1
Democratic Sarah Corkery 169,740 41.5
Independent Jody Puffett 5,381 1.3
Write-in 341 0.1
Total votes 408,802 100.0
Republican hold

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Ashley Hinson - R-Iowa, 2nd - Biography LegiStorm". Legistorm.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Representative Ashley Hinson". FEC.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Stabile, Angelica (November 9, 2020). "13 GOP women join the House, dominating congressional elections, making history". Fox News. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Alumni: Ashley Hinson". Annenberg TV News. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  5. ↑ McCormick, John (August 22, 2026). "The Former Local News Anchor in the Political Fight of Her Life". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "From Journalist to Congresswoman, Ashley Hinson's Journey to D.C." WHO13. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ Balk, Tim (June 3, 2026). "5 Things to Know About Representative Ashley Hinson, Senate Candidate in Iowa". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  8. 1 2 "2016 General Election Canvass Summary" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. p. 131. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  9. 1 2 Rynard, Pat (May 13, 2019). "Ashley Hinson Files For 1st District Run Against Abby Finkenauer". Iowa Starting Line. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Ashley Hinson". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  11. ↑ Scheinblum, Josh (November 2, 2018). "Gjerde and Hinson attack one another's record in TV ads". KCRG-TV. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Representative Ashley Hinson". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ Lynch, James Q. (January 8, 2020). "Ashley Hinson has raised $1.1 million in Iowa 1st District race". The Gazette. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Hinson Turns in More Than Four Times the Required Signatures to be on the Ballot". CaffeinatedThoughts.com. Marion, Iowa. February 25, 2020. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  15. ↑ KCRG News Staff (June 3, 2020). "Hinson wins 1st District Republican nomination, will face Finkenauer". KCRG-TV. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Top Democrats Send Letter on Possible Foreign Meddling in November Election". The New York Times. July 20, 2020. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  17. ↑ Muller, Sarah (July 26, 2020). "'I violated your trust': Ashley Hinson apologizes for plagiarism". KCCI. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  18. ↑ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (November 2, 2020). "Republican Ashley Hinson unseats U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer in Iowa's 1st District". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Iowa's 1st Congressional District election, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  20. ↑ Staff, Iowa's News Now (October 29, 2021). "Ashley Hinson announces run for re-election of Iowa's new 2nd Congressional District". KTVO. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  21. ↑ Barton, Tom (November 9, 2022). "Ashley Hinson elected to second term in Congress". Globe Gazette. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Iowa Second Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times. December 3, 2024. Archived from the original on September 29, 2025. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  23. ↑ Lynch, James Q. (December 11, 2020). "Ashley Hinson 'open' to raising Social Security retirement age". The Gazette. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  24. ↑ Hulse, Carl (March 6, 2021). "After Stimulus Victory in Senate, Reality Sinks in: Bipartisanship Is Dead". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021.
  25. ↑ Gerlock, Grant (July 3, 2025). "Iowa lawmakers back Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  26. ↑ Marquez, Alexandra (May 28, 2025). "GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson met with boos at Iowa town hall". NBC. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  27. ↑ Tarrant, Katie (August 29, 2025). "A GOP lawmaker aims to define Trump's Big Beautiful Bill before Democrats". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  28. 1 2 Payne, Marissa (March 5, 2026). "Iowa's US House lawmakers reject limits on Trump's war powers in Iran". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  29. ↑ Schnell, Mychael (July 19, 2022). "These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality". The Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Ashley Hinson". Clerk.House.gov. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  32. ↑ Brustkern, Emma (September 2, 2025). "'I'm all in': Ashley Hinson announces run for US Senate after Ernst says she won't seek reelection". WeAreIowa.com. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  33. ↑ Steinhauser, Paul (September 2, 2025). "Republican rising star Ashley Hinson announces Senate bid in race to succeed Iowa's Ernst". Fox News. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  34. ↑ "About". Representative Ashley Hinson. January 3, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  35. ↑ Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress (PDF) (Report). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Official Results". Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Election Canvass Summary" (PDF). sos.iowa.gov. Des Moines: Iowa Secretary of State. December 2, 2024. p. 21. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
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