Trump rallying with Hinson in Iowa as she pledges to push back on White House

In Sioux City, Iowa, President Trump is scheduled to hold a rally with local Republican candidate Ashley Hinson on Thursday, in an effort to bolster the party's prospects amid a challenging political landscape. Hinson, who is seeking the Senate seat left vacant by retiring Republican Joni Ernst, once vowed to be Trump's top ally in the upper chamber.

However, as the race has become more competitive, she has tempered her support, pledging to "push back on him" when necessary, a stance she maintains regardless of the presidency.

Hinson, a former local news anchor and current House representative, argues that Iowans want a relatable, common-sense leader, likening herself to a minivan-driving mom. She has incorporated the minivan motif into her campaign and recently had a heart-to-heart with Trump, who called her from his phone in his minivan. Hinson criticized Trump's efforts to continue trade with China, citing soybean exports, and opposed a recent resolution to limit the war in Iran, differing from her House vote and other Republican colleagues who supported it.

She has been vocal about ending the war in Iran, emphasizing that it is the root cause of the current energy crisis in the state.

The Iowa Senate race is just one of several where Democrats are posing a competitive challenge, despite Trump's strong support in the state. The combination of high energy prices and the lingering impact of the U.S.-China trade war has put the Republican Senate majority at risk. Hinson, representing the state in the House since 2021, believes that Iowans desire a leader who can restore common sense to Washington, D.C., and has made the minivan a central symbol in her campaign, expressing her gratitude to Trump for his support and voicing her disagreement with his policy decisions.