In a tightly contested Senate race in Iowa, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson has shifted her campaign strategy amid signs of waning support for former President Donald Trump in the state. Initially positioning herself as one of Trump’s staunchest allies in the Senate, Hinson now emphasizes a more independent stance as she faces a surprising challenge from Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek.

Hinson, 43, who announced her Senate bid last year promising to champion Trump’s agenda, recently pledged to be a “thorn in his side if he’s wrong for our state.” While she attended a Trump rally in Iowa last week and has continued to feature the former president in her advertisements, Hinson has publicly opposed some of Trump’s policies. She has spoken out against his proposed closure of the Department of Education, criticized his August decision to lower tariffs on imported beef, and called for an end to the conflict in Iran. More recently, she expressed disapproval of Trump’s move to lift sanctions on Russian diesel imports.

“I’m not afraid to push back,” Hinson said in an interview, highlighting her willingness to collaborate with members of both parties if they offer viable ideas. Her campaign has invested millions in ads emphasizing bipartisan cooperation. During a recent debate, she expressed openness to working with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer if Democrats regain control of the chamber.

The shift in Hinson’s approach comes amid polls showing a slight lead for Turek, marking a rare Democratic advantage in a state that Trump carried by 13 points in 2024. Iowa has not elected a Democratic senator since 2008, but increasing voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s performance has made the race more competitive than expected.

Turek, 47, has framed his campaign around his personal story and economic populism. Born with spina bifida, he is a Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball and won his state House seat by just six votes in 2022, employing a grassroots effort that involved physically demanding voter outreach. While largely avoiding divisive cultural debates, Turek has recently voiced opposition to males competing in female sports, a stance that drew criticism from Iowa’s LGBTQ community.

Though Turek initially pledged to “take on Trump” during the Democratic primary, his recent messaging highlights bipartisan achievements, emphasizing that he has voted with Republicans more than 700 times in the Iowa legislature. He has avoided direct attacks on Trump during debates but criticizes Hinson for unwavering support of Trump’s policies. Nevertheless, Turek recognizes the appeal Trump had for many voters, citing the former president’s critique of the status quo and campaign promises on energy and foreign policy.

Republicans regard Hinson as one of their strongest Senate candidates this cycle, noting her ability to avoid controversies that have affected others in similar races. Senate Majority Leader John Thune campaigned with Hinson in Sioux City, acknowledging the challenges Republicans face this midterm but expressing confidence in her chances.

Both campaigns have launched aggressive advertising. Turek alleges that Hinson’s family wealth has grown significantly during her time in office and criticizes her initially opposing the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which she later supported. Hinson in turn accuses Turek of falsifying aspects of her record and faults him for missed votes in the state legislature.

Some Republican-leaning voters remain skeptical of Trump’s continued influence. Casey Jones, a Trump voter in 2024, expressed frustration with the president’s second term and said the recent rally made him reconsider his support for endorsed candidates, though he plans to vote third-party rather than for Turek.

Hinson framed her message to disenchanted Trump supporters by stressing the longevity of the Senate term and the need for pragmatic leadership going forward. “We’re going to get through the next couple of months,” she said. “Do you want common-sense leadership on the other side of that with someone who has a proven record of working across the aisle?”

With both campaigns intensifying outreach in a state saturated by more than $190 million in advertising expenditures, the outcome in Iowa remains uncertain as Election Day approaches. Democrats need to gain four seats nationally to reclaim the Senate, including in Republican-leaning battlegrounds like Iowa, making this contest a critical focus for both parties.