During a recent campaign stop in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Republican Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson expressed concerns about the U.S. conflict with Iran. She mentioned that prolonged military engagement could become a ‘political liability’ if it extends beyond the coming weeks. This conversation, captured in audio obtained by CBS News, highlighted Hinson’s worries regarding the ongoing situation.
Hinson’s remarks came while speaking with a voter on May 28. She cited the deaths of Iowa soldiers as a primary reason for her concern, stating, ‘I’ve been to four funerals since December. It’s awful.’
The candidate acknowledged that she was deferring to President Trump and his foreign policy team regarding a timeline for the conflict. The administration is currently seeking to extend a ceasefire with Iran and engage in talks about Iran’s nuclear program. Although a ceasefire came into effect in April, sporadic clashes continue, and global oil markets are affected by reduced shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
‘Obviously I was deferring to the President on the negotiations, because he has the team doing it,’ Hinson noted. She emphasized her stance, stating, ‘Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. At the end of the day, that’s what I want to say on that.’
Addressing concerns about a potential military draft, Hinson stated she had not heard of any plans and referred to the White House’s earlier comments that no draft would be required. ‘We don’t need one. I hope we don’t need one,’ she added.
Despite concerns about the conflict’s political and personal consequences, Hinson observed that the families of the fallen Iowa soldiers she visited remained determined. ‘Those families all said we need to finish the job,’ she remarked, acknowledging their resolve despite their grief.
As Hinson and Democratic nominee Josh Turek prepare for the upcoming November election for the Iowa Senate seat, all eyes are on them. This seat is being vacated by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who has chosen not to seek re-election. The outcome of this race is critical in determining Senate control in 2026.
A spokesperson for Hinson stated, ‘Of course endless wars are unpopular—no one wants them and thankfully President Trump is doing everything he can to prevent one while keeping Americans safe.’
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