Republicans now 'sincerely worried' about Senate seat in a state Trump won by 13 points

Source: Raw Story

July 6, 2026 5:50PM ET


Iowa was supposed to be safe Republican ground, but a closely watched Iowa political analyst said Monday the GOP is worried about holding a Senate seat in a state President Donald Trump carried by 13 points just two years ago.

Appearing on Democratic strategist Joe Trippi's "On the Ground" podcast, Laura Belin, who runs the progressive Iowa site Bleeding Heartland, said the open contest to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst has become a real fight.

"It's the most exciting election cycle in Iowa that I've ever covered," she said, calling both the race for governor and Senate "competitive."

"The Senate race, when we talked last time, that was viewed as a likely Republican hold. And now the election forecasters have shifted it to lean Republican, and I agree with that rating. But just this week we saw a poll that showed Josh Turek a little bit ahead, so I can tell you that Republicans are sincerely worried about Ashley Hinson in that Senate race," she said.

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/ashley-hinson-2677164568/