BREAKING: Cook Political Report Moves IA-Sen to Toss Up

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2026

BREAKING: Cook Political Report Moves IA-Sen to Toss Up

With 75 days to go until Election Day, Josh Turek has momentum at his back in this toss-up race

Des Moines, IA – Today, Cook Political Report moved Iowa’s U.S. Senate Race to Toss Up, citing “rising fertilizer and diesel prices, in addition to tariffs,” all backed by Ashley Hinson, that “have uniquely harmed the state’s agriculture-dependent economy,” as well as Josh’s new statewide ad that emphasizes the 700 times he’s voted with Republicans and his commitment to working with Trump to solve Iowans’ problems.

This is the second time Cook has shifted the rating of this race since Josh’s June 2nd primary victory. Immediately after Josh’s 25-point primary win, Cook moved the race rating in his favor, citing his “history of winning in areas President Donald Trump carried” and “an increasingly favorable” environment.

With 75 days to go, polls show the race in a dead heat. As voters continue to learn about Josh Turek’s bipartisan record and Ashley Hinson’s habit of self-dealing, it will become increasingly clear that Josh is the only candidate who will put Iowans first.

Missed the write up? See below for the highlights:

Republicans are worried about both Texas and Iowa, but the Hawkeye State slightly more so.
Rising fertilizer and diesel prices, in addition to tariffs, have uniquely harmed the state’s agriculture-dependent economy.
Some private Democratic polling has Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek up within the margin of error. Republicans acknowledge it’s tighter than they’d like, but their internal surveys still have Hinson leading within the margin of error. Republicans will privately admit that Turek — a former Gold Medal basketball paralympian who’s in a wheelchair due to spina bifida — is hard to demonize.
But Turek on Wednesday released an ad emphasizing the 700 times he voted with Republicans in the state legislature, saying he will work with Trump if elected.
Turek needs to raise more money if this is going to remain a top-tier opportunity for Democrats, but the early spending Republicans are already deploying to define Turek shows they’re concerned about their prospects in this now-battleground state.

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