Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) ripped her Democratic opponent Josh Turek Wednesday over his voting record – or lack thereof – in Des Moines, accusing the state representative of blowing off his legislative duties.
“I think it’s really important to note that my opponent decided not to show up for work 58% of the time this year, on policies that could have helped to support Iowans and Iowa farmers, including the Iowa Farm Bill. [Turek] chose to not show up to vote for that bill,” Hinson, 43, charged during a US Senate debate.
“He was one of the most absent, and he was one of the most liberal when he did show up to vote,” the GOP congresswoman later added.
The three-term representative then argued that if anyone in the private sector had Turek’s record of absenteeism “you’re not getting a promotion, you’re getting fired.”
Turek, 47, countered by pointing out Hinson’s missed votes on Capitol Hill.
“She’s missed 193 votes herself. And when she’s been up in DC, she has voted in favor of cuts to healthcare in a state with a healthcare crisis and a cancer crisis,” the Democrat said.
Turek then went after Hinson’s use of a little-known perk – a $178-per-day federal per diem offered to House members for certain expenses – to take “$50,000 of taxpayer dollars” on top of her congressional salary, while being a “multimillionaire.”
Hinson was prepared to rebut the attack, noting that Turek took advantage of a similar taxpayer-funded program offered in the Hawkeye State.
“I’m glad, Josh, that you brought up the per diem … my opponent, who did not show up to work, still took the full per diem here in Iowa, the same program that exists for lawmakers here,” the congresswoman said.
“So you took the per diem. You stole from taxpayers. You should refund that money.”
Hinson claims Turek took home $20,000 via the program.
The Iowa Senate race will be one of the most closely watched on Election Day, with the outcome potentially determining which party controls the chamber beginning in January 2027.
Turek has a slight edge over Hinson, leading the congresswoman by just 1 percentage point, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls.
