Turek, Hinson spar in first Iowa Senate debate: 3 takeaways

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and state Rep. Josh Turek (D-Iowa), the two candidates for Senate, faced off in a debate Wednesday night, where health care cuts and agriculture were significant topics, as well as each candidate’s voting record and attendance in their current roles.  Hinson and Turek are running to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). Hinson, 43, was a broadcast journalist before running for office in 2017. Turek, 47, is a professional wheelchair basketball player and state legislator.  The race is one of the most competitive in the country, as evidenced by tight polling, “toss-up” ratings by nonpartisan analysts and fundraising. The debate comes one night after the Hawkeye State's gubernatorial candidates, Rob Sand (D) and Zach Lahn (R), sparred in their own contentious debate. It’s the sixth-most expensive Senate contest in terms of advertising, with $90 million spent so far in total on ads. This was the first debate between them before the general election.  The war in Iran is a critical issue for battleground races across the country this year, but is playing a significant role in agricultural heartland states like Iowa. Turek called out Hinson for her early support of the war and President Trump’s tariffs, both of which Democrats say are responsible for high everyday costs nationwide. “We're looking at diesel prices being at an all-time high as our farmers are going into harvesting time and leading to a furthering increase of input c…