Kim Reynolds endorses Ashley Hinson for Iowa's open US Senate seat

Gov. Kim Reynolds is endorsing Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson to be Iowa's next U.S. senator.

Reynolds made the announcement at an event with Hinson in Sioux City on Jan. 29.

"I’m truly proud to endorse my friend, Ashley Hinson, for Senate," Reynolds wrote on social media. "Ashley went to Washington for one reason: to make it work more like Iowa, and I’ve been continually impressed by her grit, her preparation, and her commitment to our state. Let’s show the country what Iowa leadership looks like. Let’s send Ashley Hinson to the U.S. Senate!"

Hinson thanked Reynolds for her endorsement in a post on social media.

"Honored to have the endorsement of Governor Kim Reynolds," Hinson wrote. "When I say I want to make DC run a whole lot more like Iowa, Kim is who I think about. I am honored to have her support and encouragement as I take the next step to the United States Senate. Let's go win!"

Reynolds' endorsement is a further sign that Republicans in Iowa and in Washington, D.C., have unified behind Hinson's candidacy for Senate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

President Donald Trump endorsed Hinson days after she announced her candidacy in September, as did Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Iowa's 3rd District U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, Iowa House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann and an array of other state officials.

Ernst officially endorsed Hinson on Jan. 10 during a joint appearance in Adel.

Hinson, who represents northeast Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, also holds a large fundraising advantage over her primary opponent: former state Sen. Jim Carlin of Sioux City.

Several Democrats are seeking their party's U.S. Senate nomination, including state Sen. Zach Wahls, state Rep. Josh Turek, former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage and former state lawmaker Bob Krause.

In a statement, an Iowa Democratic Party spokesperson said Hinson and Reynolds of supporting "the same failing record."

"Iowa ranks last in the nation in economic growth and is stuck in a recession that’s leaving families struggling to keep up with the cost of living," spokesperson Drew Myers said in a statement. "Ashley Hinson will deliver more of the same failed record in the U.S Senate — one that raises health insurance premiums, cuts food assistance, and keeps in place reckless tariffs hurting farmers."

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.