President Donald Trump is campaigning for Republican Rep.
Ashley Hinson in Sioux City on Thursday, October 22, 2026, as a tightening Senate contest and rising agricultural costs push Iowa into the center of Republican efforts to hold Congress.
Hinson faces Democratic state Rep.
Josh Turek in a race that has become unexpectedly competitive despite Trump's decisive win in the state in 2024.
The president's visit is meant to strengthen Republican candidates in the final weeks before Election Day, according to CBS News, NBC News and MS NOW.
Hinson is seeking the seat held by retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.
Concerns over inflation, fuel prices and trade policy are creating challenges for the party among Iowa voters.
A Narrowing Contest in a State Trump Won
MS NOW reported that Trump won Iowa by 13 percentage points in 2024.
Polling averages cited by the outlet showed Hinson and Turek running nearly even, making the race a potential threat to Republican efforts to keep their Senate majority.
The Trump administration has announced an $8 billion relief package for farmers and plans for a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa.
The president has also promoted foreign trade agreements intended to expand exports of American agricultural products, though some farmers say the measures have not offset rising operating expenses.
Hinson has sought to balance her support for Trump with assurances that she will challenge him when their positions diverge.
The Iowa congresswoman initially described herself as the president's top ally in the Senate but has since emphasized her willingness to disagree with the administration when she believes Iowa's interests require it.
During an interview with Fox News, Hinson said, "If he's going to say something that's wrong, I'm going to challenge him on it."
She also said, "I'm not afraid to say, 'hey, I disagree with you on this,'" while maintaining that she would cooperate with the president when their priorities aligned.
According to CBS News, Hinson has also criticized Trump's decision to waive sanctions against Moscow, saying she did not support additional agreements with Russia.
Her comments followed an earlier statement calling for an immediate and successful end to the war with Iran.
Hinson defended her position on Iran during a debate with Turek, arguing that the conflict should end without allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and while protecting US allies in the region.
She opposed a congressional resolution intended to constrain the president's authority over the conflict, saying she did not believe another resolution was necessary.
Farm Frustration Over Trade and Input Costs
Trump's visit also comes as farmers express frustration with the administration's trade decisions and rising production expenses.
MS NOW reported that tariffs and trade disputes have affected agricultural markets, while higher diesel and fertilizer prices have increased pressure on farm operations.
Craig Moss, a fifth-generation cattle and hog farmer from Hull, Iowa, said the cattle market had been difficult over the past year, partly because of the administration's decision to reduce tariffs on ground beef imported from Argentina.
"Trump makes a trade deal with Argentina, and then when he's questioned about it by reporters, he says, 'You don't know anything about what's going on over there,'" Moss said, according to MS NOW.
"Well, sir, you don't know anything about the cattle market."
Moss also criticized current diesel prices and attributed the pressure partly to the ongoing war with Iran.
Despite his concerns, he said he continued to agree with Trump on most issues and did not regret supporting him in previous elections.
Julius Schaaf, an Iowa corn and soybean farmer with more than 40 years of experience, offered a different assessment.
Schaaf, who has voted against Trump in previous elections, blamed the administration's trade policies for instability in the agricultural sector.
"A lot of the people that supported him were farmers that have a lot of equity in their property and they can weather a storm for a while," Schaaf said.
"But you talk to the young guys that are just getting started and trying to buy inputs and inputs have gone through the roof — they're the ones that are really struggling."
MS NOW reported that younger farmers face particular difficulties as the cost of agricultural supplies rises.
Whit Ayres, a veteran Republican pollster, said Trump's political approach could appeal more strongly to his core supporters than to independent voters.
He also pointed to public perceptions of economic conditions as a challenge for Republicans heading into the election.
"The problem right now is that people perceive that the economy is not better, and inflation has not only not come down, but it's higher," Ayres said, according to MS NOW.
Economic concerns extend beyond agriculture.
MS NOW reported that voters across the political spectrum identified the cost of living as a leading issue, with some remaining undecided about their choices in congressional races despite having already formed opinions about Trump's performance.
Vice President JD Vance has defended the administration's economic policies at previous Iowa campaign events, arguing that its trade and tax measures benefit farmers and blue-collar workers.
He has also acknowledged concerns about gasoline prices and said the administration was working to address them.
Iowa's Senate contest is part of a broader set of competitive races across the country.
NBC News reported that Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers faced off in a closely contested Michigan Senate race, while Republican Sen.
Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton debated in Kansas.
Both contests have drawn increased attention as Republicans seek to protect their Senate majority.
In Texas, Neil Bush, the son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W.
Bush, announced that he voted for Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the Senate contest against Republican Ken Paxton.
In a Facebook post, Bush cited concerns about Paxton's record and praised Talarico's approach to divisive political issues, while criticizing the damage he believes Trump and his allies have done to the Republican Party.
Meanwhile, NBC News reported that Democratic Rep.
Ilhan Omar of Minnesota described a federal search of her Washington, DC, home conducted by Homeland Security Investigations agents on October 12.
Omar said she could no longer live at the property because of safety concerns following the early-morning operation.
Trump's Sioux City appearance is his second visit to Iowa this year, following a January trip to the Des Moines area.
MS NOW reported that another presidential visit is planned during the final stretch of the midterm campaign as Republicans work to mobilize supporters in a state that has become more competitive than party leaders initially expected.
