Primary
Democratic Primary
Held June 2, 2026.
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Turek ✓ | 120,448 | 62.6% | |
| Zach Wahls | 71,884 | 37.4% |
Republican Primary
Held June 2, 2026.
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Hinson ✓ | 153,181 | 73.9% | |
| Jim Carlin | 54,178 | 26.1% |
Full calendar and every race: Iowa primary guide
Race Overview
General Election Polling Trend
PollingSource average — trailing average of all polls from the last 30 days.
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Candidates
Ashley Hinson Nominee
RepublicanGeneral Election Polling Average
Average reflects all polls from the last 30 days; table shows the most recent 30 days or the newest 3 polls, whichever is more — subscribe for the full history. How accurate is each pollster? →
| Pollster | Date | Sample | MoE | Dem | Rep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson ±2.7 | 2026-09-01 | 750 LV | ±3.60 | Josh Turek 45.00% | Ashley Hinson 50.00% |
| Wedgewood Polls | 2026-08-29 | 600 LV | ±4.60 | Josh Turek 48.00% | Ashley Hinson 50.00% |
| Suffolk University | 2026-08-23 | 500 LV | Josh Turek 40.80% | Ashley Hinson 45.40% | |
| Emerson ±2.7 | 2026-08-04 | 712 LV | Josh Turek 45.00% | Ashley Hinson 48.00% |
Questions About This Race
Who is winning the 2026 Iowa Senate race?
Ashley Hinson leads Josh Turek 48.4% to 44.7% in the PollingSource polling average — a R+3.7 margin based on 4 polls from the last 30 days.
Is the 2026 Iowa Senate race competitive?
Yes — the PollingSource polling average rates it Lean R: Republicans are favored, but the race is competitive.
What does the latest poll of the 2026 Iowa Senate race say?
The most recent public poll, from Emerson (completed September 1, 2026), found Josh Turek (D) at 45% and Ashley Hinson (R) at 50%.
When is the 2026 Iowa Senate race decided?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
How is the PollingSource average calculated?
The PollingSource average is the unweighted mean of every scientific public poll of the race from the last 30 days — we do not exclude pollsters. Each race page lists the individual polls behind the average with pollster, field dates, sample size, and margin of error. Full details: pollingsource.com/methodology.
Race Notes
Ernst retiring Joni Ernst is not seeking re-election; the seat is open.
Independent Expenditures Updated just now
Top Spenders
- VOTEVETS Dem-aligned $9,756,436
- AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY ACTION, INC. (AFP ACTION) DBA CVA ACTION AND DBA LIBRE ACTION GOP-aligned $3,824,972
- AB PAC Dem-aligned $2,053,497
- WINSENATE Dem-aligned $1,786,417
- SLF PAC GOP-aligned $652,990
- IOWA ACTION Dem-aligned $232,500
- DEMOCRATS FIGHT BACK PAC Dem-aligned $13,924
- MISSION IOWA GOP-aligned $10,677
- FIELD TEAM 6, INC. Dem-aligned $5,007
Full outside-spending research — every committee, every race →