In a televised debate that matters to Iowans’ wallets and the nation’s foreign policy, Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democrat Iowa State Rep. Josh Turek outlined starkly different approaches to easing gas prices, handling the conflict in Iran, and shaping trade policy.
Gas tax and diesel export proposals
Both candidates agreed that Iowans are feeling the squeeze at the pump. Turek called for a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax and a ban on diesel exports, arguing that the ongoing conflict in Iran is driving up fuel costs. He also urged opening the strategic oil reserves to provide immediate relief.
Hinson, while supporting a short‑term pause on diesel exports, warned that suspending the gas tax for too long would jeopardize funding for roads and bridges. “We must balance relief at the pump with the need to maintain our infrastructure,” she said.
Ending the Iran conflict
Both candidates demanded an “immediate end” to the U.S. military involvement in Iran, citing rising gas and fertilizer prices as a key motivation. Hinson emphasized the need for an orderly withdrawal, referencing the tragic loss of an Iowan service member during the chaotic Afghanistan pull‑out. “We don’t need to lose another Iowan,” she said.
Turek echoed the call for peace but added that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, framing the issue as a matter of national security.
Tariff policy under the Trump administration
Turek criticized the Trump administration’s tariff policies, claiming they have closed global markets and hurt Iowa farmers. He advocated for an immediate repeal of those tariffs and a federal “right‑to‑repair” law to keep farmers from depending on foreign parts for equipment.
Hinson defended the tariffs, describing them as tools to balance trade relationships and protect American jobs. She highlighted her work on the “Protecting American Industry and Labor” bill, which would give the Department of Justice greater authority to pursue foreign nations that create trade imbalances.
Trump‑backed steel mill
Both candidates praised the $15 billion steel mill announced by President Donald Trump in September. The project, projected to create 1,700 jobs and produce 7.5 million tons of steel annually, was presented as a tangible result of the administration’s trade strategy.
Turek touted his role in advancing an incentives package for the mill, while Hinson linked the mill’s success to the passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which she helped pass in July 2025.
Tax proposals and social programs
Turek proposed higher taxes on billionaires and corporations to fund Medicaid and Social Security, framing it as a way to support vulnerable Iowans. Hinson countered that raising taxes is not the sole solution, pointing to her sponsorship of the Social Security Fairness Act, which aims to protect benefits for first responders and educators without increasing the tax burden.
What’s next for Iowa voters
With the November 3 election looming, Iowans will decide which vision guides the state’s representation in the U.S. Senate. Early voting begins Oct. 14, and the outcome will influence the balance of power in the upper chamber of Congress.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
