President Donald Trump is scheduled to rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, alongside Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA). Hinson is seeking the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. The rally follows a recent announcement in the Oval Office, attended by Hinson, regarding the construction of a steel plant in Iowa, which the president described as the largest in U.S. history.
The Senate contest between Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek has grown more competitive than initially expected, according to reporting by CBS News. While Hinson previously pledged to be the president’s "top ally" in the Senate, she has recently stated she would challenge him when necessary. At a debate earlier in October, Hinson said she would "push back on him" when it is "important for Iowa," a stance she reiterated in a mid-October interview with Fox News.
Hinson has specifically identified policy disagreements regarding foreign relations. According to Semafor, she told reporters at a Des Moines event that she opposes the president's waiver of sanctions against Moscow, stating, "I don't think we need to be making any more deals with Russia." Additionally, Hinson has called for a "successful and immediate end" to the war in Iran, though she opposed a House resolution in September aimed at limiting executive war powers, arguing that such a resolution was unnecessary for an orderly conclusion to the conflict.
Recent polling indicates a narrow margin between the two candidates. A Marist poll released on Thursday, Oct. 15, showed Turek leading Hinson 48% to 45% among likely voters, while an Emerson College poll from the preceding week placed Hinson ahead at 47% to 45%. Both results fell within the respective polls' margins of error. The Cook Political Report currently rates the race as a "toss-up," though Decision Desk HQ identifies Hinson as the narrow favorite.
The outcome of the election will affect Iowa’s approximately 3.2 million residents. For Iowa households, the candidates' differing approaches to trade and energy could influence the cost of living and agricultural exports. Hinson has emphasized her identity as a "minivan-driving mom," while Turek has criticized her for supporting tax policies he claims favor billionaires over funding for health care, food assistance, and Social Security.
The race is a factor in determining which party controls the 100-member U.S. Senate. Iowa’s agricultural sector, particularly soybean farmers, remains sensitive to international trade deals with China, which were a point of discussion in a recent five-minute phone call between Hinson and the president.
Voters in Iowa began casting ballots as early voting launched in mid-October 2026. The candidates' final positions on energy prices, high diesel costs, and the conflict in Iran are expected to remain themes through the general election. Following the Sioux City rally on Oct. 22, the campaign enters its final stages before the November election date.