Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson pushed back on the suggestion by Democrat Josh Turek at the Iowa Senate debate on Wednesday that her husband is a “shadow lobbyist.”
Hinson, who is running for Senate against Turek, and her husband, Matt Arenholz, are deeply connected to the insurance industry. Past reporting by The Washington Sun revealed that Arenholz held a position at a top industry lobbying group during Hinson’s time as a member of the House of Representatives.
Turek briefly made an issue of Arenholz during the hour-long debate by saying Hinson’s husband is “operating as a shadow lobbyist.”
“This is the corruption that we have to address,” said Turek, who tried to cast Hinson as someone who has used her time in Congress to benefit herself.
Trending
Documents previously reviewed by The Sun showed that Arenholz was credited with helping to secure a meeting for insurance lobbyists with Hinson and other lawmakers from Iowa.
A spokesperson with Hinson’s campaign told The Sun in August that the couple “maintain the highest ethical standards” and denied any untoward coordination between them. The spokesperson also said the meeting was “arranged just like any other meeting with an advocacy group.”
On Wednesday, Hinson scoffed at Turek’s characterization of her family.
“My husband’s not a lobbyist. He’s an insurance agent,” Hinson said at the debate. “He works in our basement. He’s still working at home tonight while he’s home with our kids.”
Iowa voters have not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008. But in a cycle that appears favorable to Democrats, Iowa’s Senate race has become especially competitive. The Cook Political Report labeled the seat a “toss up” in part because of the financial strain caused by the war in Iran and the Trump administration’s tariffs, which has led to backlash in the heavily agricultural state.
Hinson and Turek agreed that Iowa farmers are “hurting” and pointed to the war in Iran as the reason.
Turek, who uses a wheelchair due to his spina bifida, said his disability stems from his father’s exposure to Agent Orange while fighting in Vietnam and warned of the “generational” cost of “forever wars.”
Hinson agreed that the war in Iran should end. In private audio obtained earlier this year by Politico, Hinson acknowledged that the war had become a “political liability.”
Pressed on Wednesday about why she had previously voted against a series of House resolutions calling on President Donald Trump to halt the war, Hinson said that a “successful” end to the conflict hinges on ensuring Iran does not have nuclear capabilities and that allies in the region are safeguarded.
Author
