U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), who’s running for retiring U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s seat with President Trump’s endorsement, is being criticized for comments she made regarding the war in Iran, which Trump initiated in February.
Hinson said, “When it comes to Iran, you know, I don’t want an endless war in Iran. I think it is important to make sure Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And it is thousands of miles away. It’s out of sight, out of mind for so many Americans.”
Many on X disagreed with Hinson, with several commenters labeling her remark as “out of touch” and “insulting” — particularly as two of the 18 service members who have died during the Iran war were from Iowa.
Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson says Americans don’t care about ending the Iran war that’s skyrocketing their gas prices and killing American service members:
“It is thousands of miles away. It is out of sight, out of mind for so many Americans.”…
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) September 14, 2026
As one X user replied, with photographs (below): “Ignorant remark from Hinson. Iowa’s casualties of Iran war…so far: (left) Major Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee [sic] (right) Sergeant Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines.”
Ignorant remark from Hinson.
Iowa’s casualties of Iran war…so far:
(left) Major Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee
(right) Sergeant Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines pic.twitter.com/jGU391brpD— M R Williams is a VOTER! (@MaryRWilliams4) September 11, 2026
[NOTE: In May, Hinson privately acknowledged that if the war with Iran wasn’t concluded before the midterm elections that it would become a “political liability” for her campaign. “I do hope we can get this done by the next couple of weeks,” Hinson said, according to CBS News. “If it drags on beyond that, it’s a political liability for us too. Because we’ve lost Iowa soldiers.” She added, “I’ve been to four funerals since December. It’s awful.”]
Hinson’s Democratic opponent, State Rep. Josh Turek, suggested that Americans are thinking about the war in Iran — at gas stations (“diesel prices just crossed $6.00 a gallon for the first time in American history”) and at the grocery store. Turek said, “Ashley Hinson has voted six times to keep us in another war in the Middle East that’s causing prices to skyrocket.”
Diesel prices just crossed $6.00 a gallon for the first time in American history.
Iowa farmers are getting squeezed, truckers are paying more, and hardworking Iowa families are paying more at the grocery store. And Ashley Hinson has voted six times to keep us in another war in… pic.twitter.com/VkB5w2C5UH
— Josh Turek (@turek4iowa) September 11, 2026
[NOTE: The Iowa Democratic Party is emphasizing the six times Hinson has voted “to continue the war in Iran.” The first was in March, when she voted against efforts to limit Trump’s authority to continue the U.S. military campaign against Iran. The sixth was in July, when she voted against a resolution directing Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran.]