On Monday, a Republican candidate for the US Senate made a campaign stop in Greene County.

Iowa’s Second Congressional District Representative Ashley Hinson recently announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for US Senate in 2026, shortly after current Senator Joni Ernst had said she was not seeking re-election. Hinson met with about 15 other individuals from Greene County at the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson.

Hinson talked about one key aspect she has been hearing from Iowans is protecting agriculture innovation from those that threaten to undermine that, such as the Chinese government, and having previous experience in that arena already, serving on the House Chinese Select Committee.

“I’ve focused specifically on trade accountability. Are they going around our trade laws? If so, they need to be held accountable. So, whether they’re trying to buy our land, steal our IP (intellectual property), or cheat on trade policy. Those are all areas where I see me having a pretty big megaphone, whether I’m in the Congress or the United States Senate.”   

Having received an endorsement already from President Donald Trump for her Senate campaign, Hinson was proud to have that kind of support and to help carry out the President’s “Common Sense Ideas for Common Sense People” agenda.

“And that’s what I’ve been focused on these last eight months working right alongside the President. When I say, ‘Iowan’s stories are what drive me every single day,’ I’ve done 22 counties in my congressional district, I’m going to do all 99 counties in the state as part of my senate campaign. Because ultimately, I need to be informed and listen to people because that’s what legislation I should be introducing in Washington (D.C.)”

Hinson is running against other Republican candidates for the nomination in the June Primaries in 2026 with former State Senator Jim Carlin and former Libertarian Joshua Smith.