Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ashley Hinson has sharply criticized her Democratic opponent, Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek, for missing 58% of legislative votes in the current year while collecting over $20,000 in taxpayer-funded per diem payments.
Hinson stated that Turek's attendance record makes him an "absentee legislator" as the race for the open Senate seat, held by Republican Joni Ernst, intensifies. Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, is seeking to flip the Republican-held seat in November.
According to reports, Turek missed 261 out of 448 House votes between January 12 and May 3, a rate of nearly 60%. During this period, he received $20,100 in per diem benefits, which are tax-free payments of $201 for each day the legislature is in session, according to Iowa law. Turek has served in the Iowa legislature since 2023.
Hinson contrasted Turek's record with her own, stating she has a 98.8% voting record in Congress. "Iowans need a senator who's going to show up and be their advocate," Hinson told Fox News Digital.
The Turek campaign pushed back, criticizing Hinson's own voting record and expenses. A spokesperson for Turek claimed Hinson, described as a "multi-millionaire," missed votes on the annual defense funding bill to fundraise and spent $50,000 in taxpayer funds for her Washington D.C. apartment. Hinson is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and was absent during a portion of its markup for this year's National Defense Authorization Act.
The race in Iowa is considered competitive. Recent polling indicates a close contest, with a Fox News poll showing Hinson trailing Turek by a narrow margin within the survey's margin of error. The Cook Political Report rates the contest as "Lean Republican," having shifted the outlook toward Democrats after Turek won his primary.
Hinson, who has represented a congressional district in northeastern Iowa since 2021 and is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, emphasized her connection to Iowa voters. "I'm a minivan-driving mom, and I understand it's tough to keep those groceries stocked," Hinson said, highlighting economic concerns. "My commitment is to continue to get out there and hear directly from Iowans and tell their stories in Washington."